Gambling and online casinos in Tajikistan

Tajikistan is one of the states where gambling is completely banned.

The country's authorities have consistently taken a tough stance, considering gambling a threat to public morality and Islamic values.

Since 2009, any casinos, bookmakers, slot machines and online gambling are prohibited by law.

Nevertheless, interest in gambling in the country remains - residents use VPNs, offshore sites and cryptocurrencies to play on international platforms.

Historical background

After the collapse of the USSR in the 1990s, the first casinos and gaming halls appeared in Dushanbe, Khujand and other cities.

By the mid-2000s, gambling was booming, especially among tourists and businessmen.

However, in 2009, President Emomali Rahmon signed a decree banning casinos and gambling altogether, arguing for moral and social reasons.

💡 "Gambling destroys families and undermines the spiritual foundations of society," the president said at the time.

From that moment on, there are no legal casinos in the country, and the gambling sector has gone underground or into the online sphere.

Legislative framework

Main acts:

1. Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 553 (dated May 7, 2009) - the complete closure of all casinos, bookmakers and slot machine halls.

2. The Law "On the Prohibition of the Organization of Gambling" (2011) - establishes administrative and criminal liability.

3. The Criminal Code of Tajikistan (Article 241) - provides for imprisonment of up to 5 years for organizing or participating in illegal gambling.

4. The Law "On Media and Advertising" (ed. 2020) - prohibits the mention and promotion of any gambling services.

Key points:

casinos, sweepstakes and slot machines are completely prohibited;
online casinos and online betting are illegal;
the participation of citizens in foreign platforms is equated with an offense;
providers are required to block sites containing gambling content;
advertising or mention of casinos in the media and social networks is prohibited under the threat of a fine.

Online gambling

Despite strict bans, online gambling in Tajikistan exists in a shadow format.

Residents of the country actively use VPN and offshore sites (1xBet, Mostbet, Stake, Melbet, GGbet), which operate through mirrors and cryptocurrency gateways.

Features of the "gray market":

the main audience is men 20-40 years old playing on mobile devices;
payment occurs through cryptocurrencies (USDT, Bitcoin, TRON) or foreign cards;
bets are placed on sports, esports and live games;
Telegram bots and channels serve as intermediaries for entering and withdrawing funds.

According to independent researchers, the volume of illegal online gambling in Tajikistan exceeds $70-100 million per year.

Control and punishments

Regulation of the gambling sphere is entrusted to:

Ministry of the Interior (MVD),
Financial Crimes Enforcement Agency,
National Security Committee (GKNB),
Ministry of Communications and Digital Development (blocking sites).

Control measures:

regular raids against underground halls;
criminal prosecution of online betting organizers;
blocking domains and Telegram groups;
fines from 5,000 to 20,000 somoni (~ $400-1600).

In 2023, the authorities announced the closure of more than 300 illegal gaming outlets and the blocking of over 1,500 sites with gambling content.

Religious and cultural aspect

Islamic tradition is central to Tajik public life.

According to Sharia, gambling (maisir) is considered sinful.

The Muftiate and the Ulema Council have repeatedly issued statements condemning any form of gambling.

💡 "Any profit made through the game is haram and does not bring grace," says the fatwa of the Ulema Council (2020).

This position completely coincides with public policy, which makes the prospects of legalization extremely unlikely.

Exceptions and gray areas

The only acceptable form of entertainment with elements of chance remains:

state lotteries conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance;
prize draws in promotions where no cash contribution is required.

Nevertheless, even these events must be held with the permission of government agencies.

Economic aspect

While the official ban remains, experts note that the country is losing potential revenue from licensing and taxing gambling.

If the market were legalized following the example of Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan, the state could receive up to $50 million in taxes per year.

However, the government takes the position that social risks outweigh economic benefits.

Prospects

In the foreseeable future, the legalization of casinos and online gambling in Tajikistan is not planned.

The authorities are considering the possibility of only introducing tourist gambling zones in the future, but without admitting citizens of the country.

Analysts believe that while maintaining digital growth and international pressure on the regulation of Internet payments, Tajikistan will be forced to develop limited legal mechanisms for controlling online rates - without their direct legalization.

Tajikistan remains a country of strict prohibition of gambling.

All casinos, bookmakers and online platforms are illegal, and citizens' participation in them is punishable by law.

💡 In Islamic and socially conservative society, gambling is not perceived as a business,
but as a moral threat.
Despite the growth of shadow iGaming, the state maintains a course of complete control and spiritual discipline,
remaining one of the most closed jurisdictions of the post-Soviet space in the field of gambling.