The Law and the Rules

Only on artificial land plots in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea (certain coastal zones in the north and south of the country were also mentioned in the discussion).

Direct or indirect participation by anyone under 21 is not allowed.

Organizing and running gambling in virtual form — online, via apps, mobile networks or social media — is banned; financial institutions may not process payments for it.

A license from the authorized body is required; only legal entities may organize games, subject to financial transparency and anti-money-laundering requirements.

340 000 manat for a license to organize gambling on artificial land plots; the same amount is also cited as the annual license fee.

Casinos were banned from January 27, 1998; the 2025 law lifted the ban under strictly defined conditions.

The official framing is tourism and budget revenue: legalization was discussed as a boost for the economy and inbound tourism.

Independent outlets linked the law's passage to Emin Agalarov's publicly announced plans and noted there had been no public discussion.

Economist Khalid Kerimli warned in a comment to Sputnik that casinos shouldn't be seen as the main engine of tourism — they're just one option.