Casino plan brews in Azerbaijan after longstanding gambling ban
Plans to revive casino operations in Azerbaijan are reportedly underway behind the scenes, with speculation mounting that Baku’s Sea Breeze resort could soon host a new entertainment complex featuring casinos, according to JAM News.
For the unaware, gambling has been officially banned in Azerbaijan since 1998. The fresh wave of rumours was sparked in October 2024, when Emin Agalarov, the former son-in-law of President Ilham Aliyev, publicly announced his ambition to develop a large-scale leisure project in the area.
Gambling illegal in Azerbaijan
The original ban was introduced due to concerns about money laundering, economic instability, and moral and social harm, particularly its impact on younger generations. Since then, all forms of casino gaming, betting shops, and related operations have remained strictly outlawed.
Despite this, Agalarov appears confident the project can proceed, possibly encouraged by a recent precedent involving a related Sea Breeze development. Recently, Parliament passed a special law to support the Caspian Dream Liner, an artificial peninsula shaped like a cruise ship in the Caspian Sea.
The legislation allowed Agalarov to officially register residential buildings linked to the project, even though construction reportedly began before the law was enacted, as per Radio Free Europe.
Ongoing debates on TV
Since his announcement, Agalarov has shared updates and videos about the casino on social media, sometimes featuring appearances by Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov. At the same time, Azerbaijani television channels and online media outlets have aired numerous reports highlighting how gambling generates substantial revenue for state budgets in other countries.
Headlines such as “Casinos — a forgotten source of income for Azerbaijan’s economy” and “Why shouldn’t Baku become the Las Vegas of the Caucasus?” have become common, with many articles stressing that Azerbaijani citizens currently travel abroad to gamble, resulting in a loss of domestic revenue.
Since April 2025, discussions about the potential benefits of legalised gambling have intensified in local media, yet no formal public debate or consultation on amending the country’s criminal and administrative codes to permit casinos has taken place.
Legal experts note that any move to legalise casinos would require significant legislative changes, including amendments to criminal law. Yet, observers suggest that the coordinated media campaign and high-profile involvement of business and government figures could signal preparations for regulatory reform.
