Lottery games are illegal in Iraq under the country's strict gambling prohibition laws rooted in Islamic principles. The 1969 Penal Code explicitly prohibits all forms of gambling, including lotteries, casinos, sports betting, and online gaming activities. Anyone who runs a gambling venue faces prison time or a fine of 225,000 Iraqi dinars, with both operators and participants subject to criminal penalties (1).
Iraq enacted its comprehensive Penal Code in 1969, establishing criminal penalties for all gambling activities, with strict enforcement continuing under successive governments throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The legal framework does not explicitly address online gambling in separate legislation, but online lotteries are also considered illegal activities under the general gambling prohibition. Iraqi regulators actively block access to online betting platforms and crack down on illicit gambling operations (2).
"Gambling is illegal in Iraq because it is forbidden by the Quran, the holy book of Islam. The Quran prohibits Muslims from seeking wealth through gambling, which it considers to be a form of exploitation and injustice."
Despite the prohibition, online gambling has grown in popularity among Iraqis, though it remains unregulated and technically illegal. The government maintains a policy of blocking foreign gambling websites and does not issue any licenses for lottery operations, whether land-based or online. No land-based casinos or legal lottery venues exist in Iraq due to these restrictions (1).
Source:
https://legalpilot.com/country/iraq/
https://arabictopcasinos.com/gambling-in-iraq/
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
