The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of Azerbaijan has approved, in the first reading, a legislative package aimed at significantly tightening penalties for the organization and conduct of online gambling. The proposed amendments to the Criminal Code were discussed during today's session of the parliament's extraordinary session, as reported by the Operative Information Center-OMM.
Under the new provisions, the penalties for illegal gambling activities will be strictly enforced, particularly when such acts involve virtual platforms, including the internet, mobile networks, social media, and other electronic communication technologies. The legislation also introduces harsher measures for cases involving the participation of minors, acts committed by a group of individuals in prior collusion, or those generating significant financial gain. Offenders face fines up to double the amount of the illicit income, alongside restrictions on liberty or imprisonment ranging from two to four years. For crimes committed by organized criminal groups or those yielding substantial profits, the penalty increases to three to five years of imprisonment or restricted liberty.
This legislative initiative reflects Azerbaijan's ongoing commitment to strengthening its legal framework against cybercrime and illicit financial activities. By shifting from fixed monetary fines to penalties tied to the scale of illicit income, the government aims to create a more effective deterrent against the proliferation of illegal online gambling platforms. The bill, which also increases prison terms for repeat offenses and exploitation of minors, was put to a vote and adopted in the first reading following parliamentary debate.
