Iraq is a country in southwest Asia and Northeastern region of Arabian Peninsula. The country known as the Republic of Iraq was established in the year 1958. This post will focus on the history of gambling laws in Iraq, the kinds of bets and the most suitable best betting sites in Iraq. We will also focus on the historical background and successes of the country’s sports betting and this will help in giving a complete understanding of the sports betting and online betting platform in Iraq.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Overview of Gambling Laws in Iraq
Thus, gambling has a history of being regulated and closely associated with religion in the country. Here’s a concise timeline of key dates:
- 1958: It should be noted that gambling remains prohibited in Iraq, starting from the time of the formation of the state.
- 1969: The law also stated that gambling of any form was prohibited under the Penal Code of Iraq.
- April 2023: Large scale operations we were able to apprehend almost two hundred people involved in gambling activities.
This timeline depicts that Iraq has always been against gambling, as per the Islamic law which does not permit any form of gambling.
Regulatory Agencies of Betting Sites in Iraq
There are no special bodies regulating gambling in Iraq. The role of the Ministry of Interior is to enforce the laws on gambling and, therefore, conduct raids on the gambling operations that are unlawful. This, therefore, creates a gap on the absence of a separate body to regulate gambling, illustrating the governments’ tough stance on gambling.
Prohibited and Permitted Bets
Due to the strong regulations, all types of gambling are prohibited in Iraq both on the Internet and offline. Although some vices are prohibited, there are underground activities such as betting on horse and camel races. It should be said that such activities are punishable by law, and the corresponding punishments can be fines or imprisonment.
Gambling Licenses and Fees
Some games are allowed and regulated in Iraq but there are no legal gambling licenses that can be purchased and there are no fees for operating a legal gambling business. Any person found to be running a gambling business or engaging in gambling shall be liable to a legal consequence.
Gambling Taxes
As gambling is forbidden in Iraq, there are no special taxes set on gambling in this country. Operators and players are penalized legally than financially meaning that the two are regulated by laws.
Popular Betting Sites in Iraq among players
Though there are strict laws concerning this, many foreign betting sites remain accessible to the Iraqis. Here are some of the most popular options:
Up to £122
Up To £100
Up To £120 + £30 Free Bets
These sites offer numerous possibilities for betting, and that is why they are popular among the Iraqi clientèle who is on the lookout for reliable sites.
Sports Betting in Iraq – The Future.
Iraq has a rich sports history, marked by several milestone events:
- 1950: This is to inform you that Iraq has become affiliated to FIFA.
- 2007: The National football team of Iraq came out triumphant in the AFC Asian Cup.
- 2006: Out of the list, Iraq stood at the second position in the Asian Games held in Qatar.
- 1988: Ahmed Al-Samarrai got three gold medalist in the Seoul Olympic games.
- 2004: In the Athens Olympic games Ali Makhzoumi emerged winner and took the gold in men’s 400 meters Hurdles.
These events depict some achievements that Iraq as a nation has made in the concerning the sporting arena.
Sports Star Glory
Iraq has produced several notable athletes who have made their mark internationally:
- Ahmed Al-Samarrai: Won a gold medal in the 400 meters hurdles at the Olympian Games that was held in Rome in the year 1960.
- Ali Makhzoumi: Gold medallist in the 400m hurdles at the Olympic games (2004).
- Younis Mahmoud: He is the captain of Iraqi national football team which emerged champions of the 2007 Asian cup.
- Riyadh Al-Azzawi: Still, an undefeated Kickboxing World Champion.
These athletes have proud Iraq and set examples for the next generations of athletes.
Gambling Laws in Neighboring Countries
To provide a broader perspective, here’s a summary of gambling regulations in three neighboring countries:
- Saudi Arabia: Gambling in all its forms is forbidden and offenders are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
- Iran: Like Iraq, gambling is also forbidden in the Islamic religion.
- Turkey: Although the land based casinos are prohibited it is legal to gamble online and licenses are awarded to the operators.
The comparisons made above show that there is the general agreement on the regulation of gambling in the region due to cultural and religious values.
Conclusion
In order to understand how to place a bet on sports in Iraq, one has to know the laws and possibilities that are present in the country. Despite the fact that the legal forms of betting are very much controlled and restricted, there are international sites such as 22Bet, 1xbet and Betandyou where the Iraqi bettors can opt for. Also, Iraq has a long tradition of sports and great accomplishments in the field which makes the notion of people’s love for sports even more understandable. Thus, a bettor can get significant knowledge about the events and choose the most secure and interesting platforms for betting.
FAQ about Betting Sites in Iraq
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