Iran is in southwest Asia and includes its capital Tehran; Iran shares borders with Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It has a very ancient culture and history and its legal system is strongly based on Islamic law. This article focuses on Iran bookmakers and sports betting whereby it covers the existing gambling laws, the history of these laws, the bodies responsible for the laws, the gambling licenses and their fees, taxes, and the type of bets allowed or prohibited and details of sports betting.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Gambling Laws and History in Iran
Iran has been an Islamic Republic since 1979 and gambling is prohibited in this country. According to article 705 of the Islamic Penal Code, gambling in any form is prohibited and the legal punishment for the offense ranges from imprisonment of one to six months or up to seventy-four lashes. Public gambling also falls under the jurisdictions that receive penalties both for the participants. The legal basis of this prohibition is based on Islamic law, specifically the Shari’ah law that prohibits gambling (maisir) as the work of the devil.
Key Points of Iran’s Gambling Laws
- Article 705: Forbids all kinds of gambling and the law provides penalties that range from fines to imprisonment and lashes.
- Islamic Penal Code: Strengthens the existing ban on gambling, labeling it as none transactions.
- Shari’ah Law: Considers gambling as a wrong way of making money, insisting on hard, serious work as the only right way.
Regulatory Agencies
Iran law enforcement agencies are those that are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of gambling laws. These agencies effectively prevent access to Web sites that offer gambling services and launch criminal cases against the providers. For instance, in 2019, they deactivated 61 gambling sites that fall under the category of prohibited operations.
Prohibition and Enforcement
There are no legal casinos in Iran and any activity related to gambling is strictly prohibited and considered as a crime. The police and other authorities do not sit idle when it comes to preventing any forms of illegitimate gambling, which should come as a relief for those who’d wish to engage in such. Furthermore, creating, starting, as well as operating betting websites is prohibited because it falls under gambling. Currently, the Iranian authorities have put measures to prevent the citizens from accessing these sites.
In the course of the investigation spanning 14 months, Iranian authorities recently shut down what is known as Nitro Bet, an online gambling network. It was said that this network had around 35,000 domestic bank accounts and 1,200 payment gateways and frequently transferred gambling money out of the country through “farmer accounts”. It was also accused of hiring influencers to destabilise Islamic-Iranian norms and promote gambling in Iran.
Iran Bookmakers and Sports Betting
However, one can see the interest in sports, including the sports betting, among some part of Iranians even within the framework of the strict prohibitions. Nevertheless, it is important to know that all kinds of betting or gambling are prohibited in the territory of Iran, including operations with bookmakers and sports betting.
Iran Bookmakers and Sports Betting Laws and Regulations: Main Characteristics
- No Legal Bookmakers: Iran does not have any license for bookmakers and therefore all the related activities are prohibited.
- Heavy Penalties: Any person found participating or promoting sports betting is liable to be imprisoned and flogged.
- No Taxation: Currently there is no special gambling tax in Iran because all types of gambling are prohibited in the country.
Consequences of Prohibition to Sports Betting
This has made it impossible for Iran to have legal bookmakers and sports betting platforms to operate. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- No Legal Licenses: Iran does not allow gambling and therefore no licenses are available for bookmakers.
- No Taxation on Winnings: Because it is prohibited, there are no legal taxes for winnings from gambling.
- Prohibited Bets: Any kind of gambling on any sports is banned.
- Law Enforcement Actions: Law enforcement agencies continue to go after gambling sites that are operating within the country illegally.
Iran’s Rich Sporting History
Despite the fact that the Iran has very strict laws against gambling, the country has a very active sporting life. The country is the birthplace of polo, it was recorded that polo was played as early as in the 6th century BC. Koshti, freestyle wrestling, is Iran’s traditional sport and is recognized officially as the national sport of Iran. Soccer is one of the most practiced sports by the populace especially because of the youthful population with nearly two thirds below the age of thirty.
Notable Achievements and Events
- Wrestling: Wrestling is one of the most successful sports in Iran and the country’s wrestlers have won Olympic gold medals and titles at other international competitions.
- Football: The Iran national football team is a three-time Asian Cup winner, and qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 1978.
- Basketball: The national basketball team has been also very successful at Asian Championships.
- Futsal: Iran has been one of the strongest futsal nations in the world with the Iran national futsal team that has triumphed in the AFC Futsal Championship.
- Weightlifting: Iran has raised world-class weightlifters such as Hossein Rezazadeh and Behdad Salimi both Olympic gold champions.
Prominent Sports Heroes
- Ali Daei: The Iranian national football team’s former captain, he is the highest scoring male footballer in the history of Iran.
- Hossein Rezazadeh: She is two times Olympic champion in weightlifting.
- Saeid Marouf: The head of the Iranian men’s volleyball team.
- Gholamreza Takhti: Former wrestler and two times Olympic champion.
Iran’s Sporting Achievements
- Asian Football Confederation’s Asian Cup: They have won the title in 1968, 1976 and recently in 2020.
- Asian Games: Co-hosted in 1974 and was won in 1998 and in 2002.
- Olympic Medals: Many medals in different kinds of sports, such as wrestling and taekwondo.
Conclusion
In conclusion, even though Iran has a great tradition in sports and enthusiastic population, the strict anti-gambling laws and ban on sports betting make it very difficult for any betting related activities. It is useful to comprehend and appreciate these laws for anyone who feels inclined to participate in such actions within the Islamic Republic of Iran.
FAQ – Iran Bookmakers
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