Central Bank of Azerbaijan Warns Against Illegal Gambling Payments Abroad

Speaking at a recent press conference, CBA Chairman Taleh Kazimov stressed that the country’s financial system must not become a channel for unlawful transactions and warned that stronger oversight measures may soon follow.

According to Kazimov, gambling activities in Azerbaijan are permitted only through officially licensed operators. However, authorities have identified a significant number of citizens using local bank cards and accounts to participate in gambling platforms operating abroad without legal authorization. The total volume of such transactions has already reached millions of manats, raising concerns among regulators.

Kazimov emphasized that banks and other financial institutions carry responsibility in preventing illegal financial flows. He stated that the financial sector should not serve as an intermediary for suspicious transfers and must report any potentially unlawful activity to the Financial Monitoring Service. Azerbaijani authorities are now studying international practices as several countries have already introduced monitoring systems designed to identify and restrict payments linked to illegal gambling operators.

Despite these efforts, experts acknowledge that enforcement remains difficult. Illegal gambling businesses often adapt quickly to new regulations by using alternative payment methods such as cryptocurrency wallets, third-party payment processors, and anonymized digital transactions. These tools make it significantly harder for authorities to trace the movement of funds or identify users involved in prohibited activity.

The issue has already attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies. In March, Azerbaijani authorities dismantled an illegal online casino network during a special operation led by the Main Department for Combating Cybercrime under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Four individuals were detained as part of the investigation.

According to investigators, the suspects collaborated with illegal foreign gambling platforms and used social media channels to attract local users. Authorities also claimed the group established virtual cash desks within Azerbaijan to facilitate payments and transfers connected to gambling operations. During searches, law enforcement officers seized electronic evidence, bank cards, and mobile phones. All suspects were formally arrested as the investigation continues.