Current state (April 2026)
All paid gambling is prohibited in Mongolia under the 2025 amendments to the Law on Licensing.
Timeline
- 1999-2010: Limited national lottery operation, informal bökh and horse racing wagering tolerated
- 2011-2019: Gradual expansion of lottery products, restricted sports betting licensing discussed but not implemented
- 2020-2024: Growing offshore betting activity via 1xBet, Melbet, and others accessed through VPN or direct registration
- March 2025: Parliament passes comprehensive ban on all paid betting, online gambling, and paid predictions
- August 2025: ISP blocking of offshore betting sites begins
- 2026-onwards: Enforcement ramping up, multiple high-profile prosecutions
What's still legal
Very little. The law permits:
- State-run lottery products (where paid)
- Free-to-play prediction games (no paid entry, no money prize)
- Competitive sports and esports as activities (not betting on them)
What's banned
- Online sports betting (domestic and offshore)
- Casino games (online and physical)
- Paid prediction contests
- Slot parlours and betting shops
- Informal social betting organised via social media
- Mobile apps facilitating any paid gambling
Enforcement mechanisms
- Payment blocking: Banks freeze accounts tied to illicit betting
- ISP blocking: Offshore betting URLs blocked at the network level
- Crypto tracking: Wallets tied to gambling activity are monitored
- Criminal prosecution: Both operators and participants can face charges
Related: advertising ban
Promoting or soliciting paid betting activities is also prohibited under the Law on Administrative Violations. This includes social media posts, influencer content, and any form of advertising targeted at Mongolian residents.