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IR

Is Gambling Legal in Iran?

Prohibited
All forms of gambling are strictly prohibited under Islamic law, with severe penalties for violations, including imprisonment and corporal punishment.
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    Key Information Highlights Legislation Timeline Requirements Sources

    Key Information

    Last Update 2025
    Regulatory Authority No regulatory authority; enforcement is by the judiciary and security agencies
    License Cost Varies

    Regulation by Activity Type

    Casinos Prohibited
    Online Casinos Prohibited
    Betting Prohibited
    Online Betting Prohibited
    Lotteries Prohibited
    Poker Prohibited

    Highlights

    • All forms of gambling, including online and land-based, are strictly prohibited in Iran under Islamic law.
    • There is no licensing framework for gambling operators; no legal gambling businesses can be established or licensed.
    • Article 705 of the Islamic Penal Code imposes penalties for gambling, including imprisonment and corporal punishment.
    • Enforcement focuses on dismantling illegal gambling networks, especially those operating online or from abroad.
    • A 2021 legislative proposal sought the death penalty for illegal online gambling operators, but was not enacted.
    • Games involving gambling or rewards are not approved for development or distribution in Iran’s digital markets.
    • There is no legal taxation or regulatory oversight of gambling activities, as all such activities are considered illegal.
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      Legislation

      Primary Legislation

      Gambling in Iran is comprehensively prohibited under the country’s legal framework, which is rooted in Islamic law. The principal legal instrument governing gambling is the Islamic Penal Code of Iran. Specifically, Article 705 of the Islamic Penal Code criminalizes all forms of gambling, both land-based and online, categorizing them as serious offenses. The law considers gambling to be “haram” (forbidden) under Sharia principles, and violations can result in penalties such as imprisonment, corporal punishment (lashes), or both. The prohibition applies broadly to any activity involving games of chance or betting, regardless of the medium or method. There have been legislative efforts to introduce even harsher penalties, including the death penalty for operators of illegal online gambling, but such measures have not been enacted into law. The legal framework is clear in its total ban on gambling, with no exceptions for regulated or licensed activities.

      Regulatory Authority

      Oversight and enforcement of gambling laws in Iran are managed by several state authorities, with primary responsibility residing in the judiciary and law enforcement agencies. There is no dedicated gambling regulatory body, as all forms of gambling are illegal and not subject to regulation or licensing. The following authorities are principally involved:
      • The Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran: Interprets and enforces the Islamic Penal Code, including prosecution and sentencing for gambling offenses.
      • Ministry of Intelligence: Investigates and dismantles illegal gambling networks, particularly those operating online or transnationally.
      • Law Enforcement Forces: Conduct raids and arrests related to illegal gambling activities within the country.
      • Central Bank of Iran: Monitors and blocks financial transactions linked to gambling, especially payments processed through domestic banking channels.

      License Types

      Gambling Licensing System in Iran

      Iran does not have a gambling licensing system of any kind. All forms of gambling—both land-based and online—are strictly prohibited under Iranian law, rooted in Islamic principles. The government enforces a complete ban on gambling activities, and there are no legal pathways for individuals or companies to apply for or obtain any type of gambling license.

      Types of Licenses Available

      • No licenses are available for any gambling activities in Iran, including casinos, sports betting, lotteries, online gambling, or any other form of wagering.

      Application Process

      • There is no application process for gambling licenses in Iran because the activity is entirely illegal. No government agency or authority is tasked with issuing such licenses.

      Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility

      • Not applicable. Since no licenses exist, there are no provisions for license duration, renewal, or eligibility criteria.

      Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements

      • There are no official fees, costs, or financial requirements associated with gambling licenses in Iran, as the issuance of such licenses is not permitted under any circumstances.

      Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Licenses

      • There are no requirements or regulatory standards for obtaining or maintaining gambling licenses, as all gambling operations are illegal and subject to criminal penalties.

      Gambling Tax

      Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Iran

      Gambling is strictly prohibited in Iran under Islamic law, and there are no legal gambling operators permitted to operate within the country. As a result, there is no official taxation system, tax rates, or specific tax regulations applicable to gambling operators in Iran. All forms of gambling, including both land-based and online operations, are considered illegal, and any profits derived from such activities are subject to criminal penalties rather than taxation.

      Basis for Taxation

      • There is no recognized basis for taxing gambling activities (such as GGR, turnover, or other metrics) because gambling is not a lawful or regulated business sector in Iran.

      Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

      • Since gambling operations are not legally recognized, there are no tax reporting or payment procedures established for gambling operators.
      • Operators found conducting gambling activities face criminal prosecution rather than tax assessments.

      Tax Incentives, Exemptions, or Special Provisions

      • There are no tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions for gambling operators, as all gambling activities are illegal and not subject to the standard business taxation framework.

      Prohibited Individuals

      Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements

      There are no formalized age restrictions or identification requirements for gambling in Iran because all forms of gambling are strictly prohibited under Islamic law. The prohibition is absolute, meaning that no legal gambling activities exist for which age verification or player identification would apply. Any individual, regardless of age, found participating in gambling activities is subject to penalties under Iranian law.

      Prohibited Gambling Activities and Game Restrictions

      • All forms of gambling, both land-based and online, are strictly forbidden in Iran.
      • This prohibition includes but is not limited to casinos, sports betting, lotteries, poker, slot machines, and any other games of chance or wagering activities.
      • Operating, facilitating, or promoting gambling—whether in person or via digital platforms—is illegal and subject to severe penalties.
      • Online gambling, including the use of international websites, is also banned, and authorities actively pursue operators and participants in such activities.

      Advertising and Marketing Limitations

      • Any form of advertising, promotion, or marketing of gambling services is strictly prohibited.
      • This includes traditional media (TV, radio, print), digital channels (websites, social media), and indirect methods such as influencer marketing.
      • Authorities monitor and take action against attempts to normalize or promote gambling culture, considering such activities as undermining Islamic values and social order.

      Responsible Gambling and Player Protection Measures

      • There are no state-sanctioned responsible gambling or player protection measures because gambling is entirely illegal.
      • Instead, the primary form of "player protection" is the total prohibition of gambling, with the intent to prevent gambling-related harm by eliminating access altogether.
      • Enforcement includes surveillance, investigation, and prosecution of illegal gambling networks, with penalties including imprisonment, corporal punishment, and, in extreme proposed cases, the death penalty for organizers (though the latter has not become law).

      Geographic and Location Restrictions

      • There are no legal gambling venues permitted anywhere within Iran’s borders.
      • Both physical and online gambling operations are banned nationwide, with no exceptions for specific regions or special economic zones.
      • Authorities actively monitor for illegal gambling activities throughout the country and target both domestic and international networks serving Iranian players.
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        Timeline

        Year/Date Event
        Pre-7th Century Gambling is a common pastime in Persian culture, with archaeological evidence of dice and board games dating back thousands of years.
        7th Century (Post-651 CE) Introduction of Islam to Persia; gambling becomes explicitly forbidden under Islamic law, as stated in the Quran.
        Pre-1979 During the Pahlavi monarchy, gambling is legal and regulated; casinos operate openly, with the Shah owning several establishments.
        1979 The Islamic Revolution leads to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran; gambling is immediately banned under Sharia law, and all casinos are closed.
        1996 Adoption of the Islamic Penal Code, which includes Article 705 criminalizing all forms of gambling, with penalties such as imprisonment and lashes.
        2021 A bill is introduced in the Iranian legislature proposing the death penalty for illegal online gambling operators; the bill does not pass into law.
        2023-2024 Major government crackdowns target illegal online gambling networks, culminating in high-profile arrests and dismantling of large operations.

        Requirements

        Technical and Operational Requirements for Gambling Operators in Iran

        Iran strictly prohibits all forms of gambling under Islamic law, and there is no legal framework for the operation, certification, or regulation of gambling operators within the country. As such, there are no official technical standards, compliance procedures, or operational requirements for gambling operators established by Iranian authorities. Below is a summary of the situation regarding technical and operational aspects:

        Software Certification and Technical Standards

        • There are no recognized or mandated software certification processes or technical standards for gambling platforms in Iran.
        • No government-approved laboratories or certification bodies exist for testing or approving gambling software.
        • Any gambling software used by operators targeting Iranian users is unregulated and operates outside the scope of Iranian law.

        Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location

        • No official data protection or privacy standards are specified for gambling operators in Iran.
        • There are no requirements regarding the physical location of servers or data centers for gambling operations.
        • Operators active in the Iranian market typically host servers offshore to avoid detection and enforcement by Iranian authorities.
        • Players and operators often rely on encrypted connections (e.g., SSL) and VPNs to protect user privacy and evade government monitoring.

        Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures

        • Iran does not provide any AML or KYC regulatory requirements for gambling operators, as such operations are illegal.
        • Offshore operators may implement their own KYC procedures, which can include identity verification (e.g., passport, utility bill, bank statement) to comply with international standards or the requirements of their own licensing jurisdictions.
        • There is no oversight or enforcement of AML or KYC compliance within Iran for gambling activities.

        Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping

        • No financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping requirements exist for gambling operators under Iranian law.
        • Operators functioning outside Iran may be subject to the reporting and auditing standards of their own licensing jurisdictions, but these are not recognized or enforced by Iranian authorities.
        • There is no mechanism for Iranian authorities to audit or review the financial operations of gambling operators.

        Responsible Gambling Tools and Technical Implementation

        • Iranian law does not require the implementation of responsible gambling tools or features, as all gambling is banned.
        • Any responsible gambling measures (such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, or time-outs) are provided solely at the discretion of offshore operators and are not mandated or regulated by Iran.

        Sources

        Primary Regulatory Authorities

        Legislation Resources

        Contact Information

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          Important Information Notice

          Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.

          Last updated: 18 April 2025