Online casinos are illegal in Turkmenistan under the country's highly restrictive gambling framework, which prohibits nearly all forms of gambling activities. The government enforces a comprehensive ban covering casino games, lotteries, sports betting, and online gambling through strict internet controls and heavy surveillance (1). The Ministry of National Security monitors gambling-related activities closely, with authorities blocking access to foreign online gambling websites despite some citizens bypassing restrictions through VPN usage (1).
Land-based gambling exists in a legal gray area, with licensing provisions established under the Law on Licensing of Certain Types of Activities from December 2019. The Ministry of Economy issues licenses for gambling activities including casinos, with fees ranging from 5,000 manat for general gambling to 15,000 manat for casinos, valid for at least three years (2). However, the legislation deals exclusively with land-based operations requiring applicants to specify physical locations, leaving online gambling unaddressed and therefore prohibited (2).
"All forms of gambling activities are banned in Turkmenistan, including casino games, lotteries, sports bets, and online gambling."
Penalties for violating gambling regulations appear under Article 357 of the Administrative Offences Code, imposing fines up to one base amount for unauthorized gambling participation and two to seven base amounts for organizing illegal gambling activities (2). The Advertising Law explicitly prohibits promotion of traditional casinos, electronic casinos, and online casinos without exceptions, even for licensed operators (2). Despite theoretical licensing provisions, imperfect implementation means gambling remains essentially prohibited, with the government showing no indication of liberalizing policies or following international trends toward regulated gambling markets (1).
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-turkmenistan/
https://3snet.info/en/reviews/how-to-promote-online-betting-and-gambling-in-turkmenistan/
Last updated: 13-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
