The State Great Khural, Mongolia’s parliament, has passed sweeping amendments to its licensing laws, criminalising all forms of paid gambling, betting, and online gambling. The law, approved in March 2025 and now in immediate effect, makes operating such activities a criminal offence under the country’s Criminal Code.
Penalties for violations include substantial fines, community service of 240 to 720 hours, travel restrictions of up to one year, and imprisonment ranging from six months to three years. Repeat offenders face additional sanctions, particularly for using payment systems, virtual assets, or digital platforms to facilitate gambling.
The legislation also bans all gambling advertising and repeals related tax provisions, marking a complete legislative and regulatory withdrawal from the gambling sector. This represents a seismic shift in Mongolia’s approach to gambling regulation, with significant repercussions for operators and associated industries.
