Iraqi Minister of Communications Mustafa Sand on Monday ordered the blocking of all online betting and gambling platforms across Iraq, citing the need to protect the public from economic and social harms.

In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Sand said the decision was made "in the public interest" to combat the financial risks, digital addiction algorithms, and targeted financial exploitation linked to online betting and gambling platforms.

The minister said such activities pose a threat to social stability and expose users to significant economic and psychological risks.

At the same time, Sand announced the removal of restrictions on IMDb, the popular online film and television database and rating website, restoring public access to the platform.