Online casinos remain illegal in Azerbaijan as of 2025, continuing a ban that has been in place since 1998 (1). The prohibition on casino gambling was implemented following a political scandal and covers all forms of traditional casino operations, both land-based and online. While the country has maintained strict restrictions on casino activities, the government has allowed limited forms of gambling including state-regulated sports betting and lotteries under specific licensing arrangements.
The legal framework surrounding gambling in Azerbaijan underwent significant changes with the Amendment Law adopted on December 27, 2021, which entered into force on January 1, 2022 (2). This legislation revised definitions and regulations for lotteries and virtual gambling environments while maintaining the overall prohibition on casino games. The law established strict penalties for unauthorized gambling operations, including fines ranging from AZN 5,000 to AZN 50,000 depending on the violation and the offender's status.
"The change allows sports-betting tables and lotteries to operate, but casinos remain banned. The ban on gambling dates back to a 1998 scandal involving the current president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev."
Recent developments in July 2025 indicate potential changes to Azerbaijan's gambling landscape, with parliament approving legislation to allow casinos on artificial islands in the Caspian Sea. However, this represents a very limited exception to the general prohibition, and online casino operations remain strictly forbidden throughout the country. The government continues to block access to foreign gambling websites and imposes criminal penalties on individuals who organize or facilitate unauthorized gambling activities, maintaining one of the region's most restrictive approaches to casino gambling.
Source:
https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan_legalizes_some_gambling/2291970.html
https://www.mondaq.com/gaming/1151766/amendments-to-gambling-regulations
Last updated: 26-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
