Azerbaijan approves tougher penalties for organizing online gambling

The Milli Majlis (Parliament) has adopted, in its final reading, the toughening of penalties for conducting online gambling in Azerbaijan.

Olaylar informs that the relevant draft amendments to the Criminal Code were discussed at todaychr("39")s session of the parliamentchr("39")s extraordinary session.

According to the document, gambling:

- when committed in virtual form, including through the use of the internet, mobile communication networks, social network platforms, other electronic communication means, as well as internet and mobile telecommunication applications or platforms based on other technologies;

- when committed by allowing minors to participate in gambling;

- when committed by a group of persons acting in prior conspiracy;

- when committed with the obtaining of a significant amount of income, shall be punished with a fine of up to twice the amount of income obtained as a result of the crime, with restriction of liberty for a period of 2 to 4 years, or imprisonment for the same period.

Additionally, when committed by an organized group or criminal association (criminal organization), or when committed with the obtaining of a large amount of income, it shall be punished with restriction of liberty for a period of 3 to 5 years, or imprisonment for the same period.

While under the currently effective sanction the fine amount is stipulated within a specific range (from 10,000 to 15,000 manats=$5,882 to $8,823), according to the draft, the fine will be determined at up to twice the amount of income obtained as a result of the crime.

Additionally, the amendments envisage toughening of penalties for cases where the organization or conduct of gambling, as well as the organization or maintenance of a venue for conducting gambling, is committed repeatedly, committed by allowing minors to participate in gambling, committed with the obtaining of significant, large, or particularly large amounts of income, and other cases.

Specifically, under the existing legislation, when the aforementioned acts are committed repeatedly, they are punished with restriction of liberty for a period of 4 to 5 years, or imprisonment for a period of 4 to 8 years.

The draft proposes that this period be correspondingly punished with imprisonment for a period of 5 to 8 years.

The draft law was put to a vote after discussions and was adopted in the third reading.