Baghdad police shut down Karrada gambling hall, seize 90 gaming devices

BAGHDAD — Baghdad Operations Command announced Sunday the closure of a gambling hall in the Karrada district and the arrest of four people found inside, with authorities seizing 90 gaming devices and other equipment.

The operation was carried out by units from the First Division of the Federal Police in cooperation with the Tourism Security Directorate, the Residency and Nationality Directorate and intelligence agencies during inspection duties targeting hotels, halls and restaurants. The four suspects were arrested in flagrante delicto and handed over to relevant authorities along with the seized materials.

The raid is the latest in a series of similar operations across Baghdad. Authorities shut down a gambling hall in the Batawin area and arrested nine people in February, and earlier that month arrested four people during a raid on an apartment used for gambling. In October 2024, the National Security Service arrested 21 individuals accused of operating gambling in private venues across the capital, and in April 2023 police arrested nearly 200 people during raids on illegal casinos and nightclubs in Baghdad.

Gambling is prohibited under Iraqi law and Islamic principles, which the constitution identifies as a foundational source of legislation. Article 389 of the Penal Code criminalizes opening, operating or managing gambling venues and allows penalties including imprisonment, fines and confiscation of equipment. Iraqi judges have warned that existing legislation does not fully address online gambling and electronic betting platforms and have called for legal amendments to confront the spread of digital gambling operations.