President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday announced the decision to push legislative amendments to criminalize gambling and operation of gambling facilities in the Maldives.
The decision was announced by President Muizzu in a post on X on Wednesday afternoon.
According to President Muizzu, the government has submitted a bill to the Parliament on Wednesday to amend the Penal Code in order to criminalize both gambling and the operation of gambling facilities.
He did not provide any details.
ޖުވާ ކުޅުމާއި ޖުވާ ކުޅޭ ތަނެއް ހިންގުމަކީ ޖިނާއީ ކުށެއްގެ ގޮތުގައި ކަނޑައެޅުމަށް ދިވެހި ރާއްޖޭގެ ޤާނޫނުލް ޢުގޫބާތަށް އިސްލާޙު ގެނައުމުގެ ބިލެއް މިއަދު ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހަށް ފޮނުވައިފިން
— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) December 10, 2025
The Parliament is currently in recess and will not reopen until February.
The decision to push legislative changes to criminalize gambling comes amid concern over the increase in gambling activities, especially through online platforms.
The Maldives blocked betting websites last year, but legal loopholes make it challenging for law enforcement agencies to tackle gambling.