Azerbaijan has tightened sanctions for organizing or conducting gambling activities. This is reflected in amendments to the Criminal Code approved by President Ilham Aliyev. The text of the document was published on the official website of the President of Azerbaijan.
According to the amendment, organizing or maintaining premises for gambling, committed repeatedly in virtual form, including via the internet, mobile networks, social platforms, electronic communications, or other network internet and mobile telecommunication applications or platforms based on other technologies, is punishable by a fine of up to twice the amount of income derived from the crime, or restriction of liberty for two to four years, or imprisonment for the same term.
Furthermore, the same acts committed repeatedly, involving minors in gambling, by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, or generating significant income, are punishable by a fine of up to twice the amount of income derived from the crime, or restriction of liberty for two to four years, or imprisonment for the same term.
Additionally, all the above acts committed by an organized group or criminal community (criminal organization) or generating large-scale income are punishable by restriction of liberty for three to five years or imprisonment for the same term.
According to the document, all the above acts generating especially large-scale income are punishable by imprisonment for five to eight years.
"Significant amount" means an amount exceeding 50,000 manats but not more than 200,000 manats; "large amount" means an amount exceeding 200,000 manats but not more than 500,000 manats; "especially large amount" means an amount exceeding 500,000 manats.