Azerbaijan toughens penalties for organising online gambling

Azerbaijan has introduced prison terms of up to four years for repeat offences involving the organisation or operation of gambling venues through the internet, social media, mobile applications and other digital platforms.

President Ilham Aliyev approved the amendments to the Criminal Code.

Offenders may also face a fine of up to twice the income obtained from the offence and restriction of liberty for a period of two to four years.

Penalties have also been tightened for allowing minors to participate in gambling, committing the offence as part of a pre-arranged group or earning a substantial amount of income.

N.Tebrizli