The State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia has made a decisive move to strengthen its regulations and protect public welfare by passing a series of legislative amendments on May 30, 2025. Its most significant law from the ten approved in the latest plenary session is a blanket ban on online gambling, betting games, and paid lottery activities.

According to a report from MONTSAME, the new measures represent part of an amendment to the Law on Permits, which triggered revisions across a range of existing laws. These include the Criminal Code, the Law on Infringement, the Law on Advertising, the Law on Personal Income Tax, the Law on Corporate Income Tax, the Law on Excise Tax, and the Law on Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Services.

Criminal Liability for Organizers and Facilitators

Under the updated Criminal Code, organizing online gambling, betting, or paid lottery activities is a criminal offense. Individuals who act as agents and provide their banking details to facilitate these prohibited activities can also be held criminally liable.

The Mongolian government emphasized that these measures are necessary to combat the increasing risks of addiction, financial fraud, and the exploitation of vulnerable populations.

Restrictions on Advertising and Youth Protection

The amended Law on Infringement outlines clear consequences for individuals or businesses promoting gambling or paid lotteries. By targeting promotional and marketing activities, lawmakers aim to limit the exposure of minors and reduce the normalization of gambling in society.

Furthermore, the Law on Advertising has been adjusted to reflect these new restrictions. This ensures a unified legal stance against the public promotion of gambling-related content.

Financial Oversight and Broader Fiscal Measures

Aside from the gambling ban, the State Great Khural also adopted several other financial measures to improve economic planning. These include the Budget Framework Statement for 2026, the draft Law on Budget Assumptions for 2027–2028, and a draft resolution approving the Government of Mongolia’s Debt Management Strategy for 2026–2028.

These decisions signal Mongolia’s intention to ensure financial discipline long-term. Conversely, the online gambling crackdown is aimed at promoting healthier societal outcomes and reducing the influence of illegal operations on the country’s financial system.

Mongolia Improves Regional Outlook

Mongolia’s decision follows a regional trend of tightening gambling regulations, as Kazakhstan set up a committee to regulate its gambling business and lottery sector earlier this year. This indicates more efforts from Central Asian nations to better control gaming-related industries.

By prohibiting online gambling and reinforcing compliance with multiple laws, Mongolia is taking a firm stand against the social and economic harms of unchecked gaming operations. The new regulations will take effect later this year, after implementation guidelines have been finalised.