A view of Baghdad city
Baghdad crackdown nets four arrests in ‘illegal gambling’ raid
BAGHDAD — Baghdad Operations Command announced on Monday the arrest of four individuals, including two women, for participating in “illegal gambling” activities inside an apartment in the capital.
In a statement, the command said the arrests came during a coordinated search operation involving the Tourism Security Directorate, intelligence units, and local security forces. The move is part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal gambling in Baghdad. On Feb. 12, authorities shut down an illegal gambling hall in the Batawin area of Rusafa, central Baghdad, arresting nine individuals.
Islam, Iraq’s official religion and a foundational source of its legislation as outlined in the constitution, explicitly prohibits gambling. In late October 2024, the Iraqi National Security Service reported the arrest of 21 individuals accused of operating and managing illegal gambling activities in private venues and residential apartments across various districts of Baghdad.
