Mongolia Criminalizes All Paid Prediction, Betting, and Online Gambling

Mongolia has officially outlawed paid prediction, betting, and online gambling, marking one of the strictest crackdowns on gaming in Asia this year. The move follows parliamentary approval of amendments to the Law on Licensing.

Good to know

• Violators face fines, community service, travel bans, or up to three years in prison.
• The law targets both organizers and those repeatedly facilitating gambling transactions.
• Promotion or advertising of gambling now carries administrative penalties.

Under the new law, organizing paid prediction or betting — whether in public venues or online for profit — is now a criminal offense. Penalties range from fines to 240–720 hours of mandatory community service, six months to one year of restricted travel, or six months to three years in prison.

Wider net to catch facilitators and promoters

The crackdown extends beyond operators. Authorities will prosecute anyone repeatedly using payment accounts, e-money, virtual assets, phone numbers, or electronic identifiers — their own or someone else’s — to process gambling transactions.

Promotion and solicitation are also targeted. Under the Law on Administrative Violations, individuals or companies advertising or encouraging paid prediction, betting, or gambling can face fines for illegal advertising.

As part of the reforms, Mongolia has repealed special provisions that once addressed excise taxes on gambling equipment, corporate and personal income tax rules for gambling-linked businesses, and support programs for SMEs tied to the sector.

Mongolia’s decision comes as other parts of Asia move in different directions. India is seeing calls for a national online gaming ban, with Karnataka pushing ahead on outlawing online betting. In contrast, Thailand is exploring casinos to attract tourists, the UAE has set up a gambling regulator and is expected to open the land-based casino markets shortly, and South Korea’s esports industry is urging a review of betting laws.

Industry watchers note that Mongolia’s market has never been a major player for international gambling operators, so the ban may not shock global companies. Still, it will disappoint stakeholders who hoped for liberalization in untapped Asian jurisdictions.

Prediction markets included

In a notable move, the legislation also covers prediction markets — platforms where users bet on the outcome of real-world events. This suggests regulators are watching operators like Polymarket closely. The platform, which has seen strong growth internationally, is preparing to re-enter the U.S. market but was banned from Australia starting today.

The new rules will take effect after standard procedural steps, according to the Parliament’s Media and Public Relations Department.

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