The Azerbaijani Parliament has raised the issue of legalizing the gambling industry in the country

Members of the Azerbaijani parliament have introduced a proposal to legalize gambling within the country, specifically suggesting the establishment of a large land-based casino in Karabakh. The initiative is spearheaded by Gudrat Hasanguliyev, the deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee on legal policy and state construction.
Since 1999, all forms of gambling, including online gambling, poker, and sports betting, have been banned in Azerbaijan. However, the operation of sports betting and state lotteries is permitted.
Hasanguliyev believes that the widespread development of the gambling industry could generate additional revenue for the state budget by attracting a greater number of tourists. "The foundation of my proposal is the legalization of casinos. For instance, we could take a cue from Russia, where gambling establishments are located within designated areas. A similar project could be implemented in Azerbaijan by opening a large casino in Karabakh. This would attract a significant number of tourists, and the revenue generated would contribute to the budget. Additionally, there is a proposal to establish a similar facility on Nargin Island," Hasanguliyev stated while discussing the legalization issue in parliament.
It is worth noting that the authorities are set to present a new version of the article concerning penalties for organizing illegal gambling activities in Azerbaijan. Under the proposed changes, violators could face fines of up to 5,000 manats (approximately $2,900) for individuals and up to 50,000 manats (over $29,000) for legal entities.
In addition to monetary penalties, the code includes provisions for the confiscation of property, including gaming equipment (tables, slot machines, terminals), and the freezing of all bank accounts associated with offenders.
As a reminder, a unique modernization project is being developed for the gambling zone in Primorye.