Viewing results 1 - 6 of 5
The Kyrgyz parliament has passed legislation permitting gambling in state-owned facilities. This new law allows for casino activities within buildings owned by the state or enterprises with government stakes, and aims to attract investment, generate employment, and boost tax revenues. Developed by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and presented to the Cabinet of Ministers, the law overturns previous restrictions by permitting casinos in state-owned hotels to enhance tourism and global competitiveness. Revenues from these casinos will support the development of tourist infrastructure. Historically, gambling was banned entirely in Kyrgyzstan in 2012, but a 2022 law reintroduced it under strict conditions, allowing only foreign nationals to participate. Kyrgyz citizens remain barred from casino entry, and the State Service for Regulation and Supervision of the Financial Market closely oversees operations to ensure compliance.
New rules and requirements for casinos have recently been introduced in a decree signed by Head of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers, Akylbek Japarov, “On gambling activities in Kyrgyzstan.” In accordance with the document, all transactions taking place within casinos are to be recorded on video cameras installed at cash, currency exchange and registration desks, and all activities in gambling establishments must be filmed in real-time. Recordings must be accessible for at least one month and can be stored for up to three months. Under the new rules, slot machines can only be installed in casinos and gaming zones must be at least 200 square meters. The decree also states: “Bookmaker offices and totalizators can be opened based on a license to organize and conduct gambling in betting offices or totalizators located only in the casino." Gambling establishments have been banned in Kyrgyzstan since 2012. The situation then changed in 2022, when new authorities permitted the reintroduction of casinos, albeit confined to places designated for foreign citizens.
From 1 January 2025, gambling, lotteries and betting activities will be legal in Uzbekistan. The National Agency for Advanced Projects will control the legal entities that will manage gambling activities in the country. Those management companies will pay a tax on revenue at the rate of four percent for five years. Under the regulations, the age limit will be set for gambling participants at 18 years of age, and companies must have a license to provide betting services and gambling platforms. Despite the current bans, the population actively participates in games of chance -- using foreign and illegal services. That means that participants risk falling prey to scammers, losing huge sums of money in the process. Crimes and suicides among gamblers are not uncommon. According to preliminary estimates, the state budget will receive about $6 million per year. Earlier, the Uzbekistan Football Association's press secretary, Davron Faiziev, spoke about the advantages of legalizing betting activities: "By banning betting activities, we lose a lot. First of all, a large flow of funds goes to other countries. This is why the decision was made -- to legalize all this, to control and ensure clean activity in the future." In Faiziev's opinion, gaming and betting companies can improve the situation in the sports sector of the country's economy, as according to foreign experience, many betting offices are active sponsors of sports teams.
Kazakhstan is preparing big changes for the gambling business in the form of a new bill that's under consideration in the country's lower house of parliament, the Mazhilis. Should the bill become law, bloggers will be banned from advertising betting platforms and online casinos. These changes are aimed at stricter regulation of the gambling industry and protection of citizens' financial interests. Members of the Maijilis emphasize that bloggers will still be able to cover sporting events on their social media accounts, but advertising gambling establishments will be banned. That's a step towards more responsible and ethical advertising practices that focus on sports and healthy lifestyles that the government would like to promote. The bill includes other important changes, such as raising the minimum age for gambling to 25, banning gambling by those who are in debt, and tightening the requirements for advertising gambling establishments. These steps are aimed at creating a safer and more responsible gambling environment for citizens of Kazakhstan. In March the Mazhilis started working on the new draft law, which, according to representative Askhat Aimagambetov, provides for the introduction of liability for gambling businesses in the form of fines ranging from 1.1 million tenge ($2,500) to 3.6 million tenge ($8,000). In addition, members of the Maijilis spoke out on the possible introduction of a ban on gambling for civil servants. This is a step that could be part of a broader program to combat the negative consequences of gambling addiction among public-sector employees.
BISHKEK (TCA) — The Ministry of Economy of Kyrgyzstan has proposed to allow casinos and slot machines in the country. The initiative was opposed by the public and some MPs. Continue reading
