The Mongolian government has passed ten legislative amendments to restrict the operation and promotion of online gambling across the country. These revisions affect several key laws. They include the Criminal Code, the Law on Infringement, the Law on Advertising, and the Law on Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Services. The revisions also impact tax laws related to personal income, corporate income, and excise taxes.
The new regulations implement a complete ban on all types of online gambling, including betting and paid lottery activities. Changes to the Criminal Code will now penalize anyone involved in organizing illegal gambling activities. This includes those who facilitate gambling through personal accounts, payment platforms, money exchange services, or telecom networks. These strict measures aim to dismantle gambling operations proliferating across digital platforms.
The revised Law on Infringements imposes penalties on individuals or organizations responsible for advertising paid gambling. This is especially true if their promotions target children and young people. These measures aim to curb the growth of illegal gambling. They also seek to protect vulnerable populations, particularly those more susceptible to its harmful effects.
Uchral Nyam-Osor, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, said that financial investigation data revealed approximately €540 million had been transferred from Mongolia to other countries due to online gambling. Despite the Anti-Monopoly Agency imposing fines on violating enterprises, Nyam-Osor stated that the penalties were insufficient. This has led the government to amend the laws further to better address the issue.
Although the Communications Regulatory Commission has already blocked access to 6,000 domain addresses associated with online gambling, many operators continue to circumvent the restrictions by changing their domain names. The government aims to close these loopholes and strengthen enforcement efforts to prevent online gambling from flourishing in Mongolia. These legislative changes represent a significant step in Mongolia’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal gambling and protect its citizens from its harmful effects.
