Kazakh Senator Gennady Shipovskikh has proposed introducing a blogger licensing system in response to growing violations of the country’s ban on advertising online casinos via social media and messaging platforms.
Since 2024, Kazakhstan has prohibited outdoor advertising of bookmakers, online casinos, and betting pools, as well as their promotion in media content, films, and videos. However, the Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) has identified 34 bloggers involved in promoting illegal online gambling platforms. Eleven of them have already received administrative penalties. The agency now argues that fines are insufficient and is pushing for the introduction of criminal liability for such offenses.
Licensing as a Regulatory Tool
Speaking at a plenary session of the Senate, Shipovskikh said licensing would provide the legal basis to suspend a blogger’s activity in the event of violations.
“We propose, along with the administrative fines currently applied for advertising illegal online casinos and dubious giveaways, to introduce licensing or create a special register of bloggers. This will allow us to regulate their advertising activities and strengthen their accountability before the law,” he stated.
Shipovskikh also called for tighter oversight of payment service providers and advertising agencies that may facilitate illegal gambling activities. He further proposed a monitoring mechanism to verify the legality of sweepstakes and giveaways commonly run on social platforms.
“We also propose to fully utilize the mechanism of criminal liability for such violations,” he added.
Scope of Illegal Gambling and Enforcement Measures
According to FMA data, 205 illegal casinos have been shut down in Kazakhstan over the past two and a half years, with 224 individuals facing criminal charges for their involvement.
Shipovskikh argued that existing penalties fail to deter offenders:
“Ordinary fines do not have the desired deterrent effect. Illegal advertising brings bloggers millions in profits, which significantly exceed the amount of penalties imposed.”
Legal Framework Already in Place
Speaking to reporters after the Senate session, FMA Deputy Chairman Zhenis Yelemesov confirmed the agency’s intention to pursue criminal liability for advertising illegal casinos, including the confiscation of related income. He also clarified that current law already allows for prosecution in certain cases.
“If it is proven that a blogger participated in the organization of a casino, the distribution of profits, or was otherwise involved in a crime, he will be prosecuted as an accomplice,” Yelemesov said.
