The Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan has approved, in its third and final reading, a bill permitting the establishment of casinos on artificial land plots located in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.
According to lawmakers, this step is expected to increase tax revenues, boost tourism, and create new jobs. Members of parliament also noted that Azerbaijani citizens either travel abroad or use online platforms to gamble, and the new law is aimed at reducing the size of the shadow market.
On May 7, 2024, Azerbaijan adopted the Law “On the Creation of Artificial Land Plots in the Azerbaijani Sector of the Caspian Sea (Lake),” which defined the legal and organizational framework for the creation and use of artificial territories, including construction on such plots.
In the fall of 2024, businessman and former son-in-law of President Ilham Aliyev, Emin Agalarov, publicly announced plans to open a casino within his Sea Breeze entertainment complex on the Caspian coast. His statement sparked widespread discussion, as gambling has been banned in the country since 1998 by a decree issued by then-President Heydar Aliyev.
Almost immediately after Agalarov’s announcement, Azerbaijani media began publishing articles about the potential economic benefits of the gambling industry and the need to bring back money that citizens currently spend in foreign casinos.
The newly adopted law establishes regulations for business activity on artificial islands, including the legal and organizational principles for operating casinos on such territories. In doing so, it aims to create conditions for investment and to promote entrepreneurship.
Casinos outside artificial islands in Azerbaijan will remain prohibited.
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