Kazakhstan Proposes Licensing Bloggers to Curb Online Casino Advertising

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.

Kazakhstan Considers Criminal Penalties for Promoting Online Casinos

Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) has identified 34 bloggers promoting online casinos on social media, with 11 already facing administrative penalties. The agency has stated that fines alone are not deterring repeat offenders and is now considering introducing criminal liability for such activities. A law passed in 2024 strictly prohibits outdoor advertising for bookmakers, online casinos, and betting pools, as well as their promotion in media, films, and video content. According to the FMA, over the past two and a half years, more than 200 illegal gambling operations have been dismantled, and 224 individuals have been held criminally accountable. However, the agency notes that the primary threat now stems from online casinos based abroad. Since the beginning of this year, authorities have blocked more than 17,000 links, mostly mirror sites for foreign platforms. Despite these efforts, some Kazakhstani payment service providers continue to facilitate transactions linked to such websites. The FMA has pledged to intensify investigations into these financial intermediaries. Influencer marketing remains a key channel for online gambling promotion. In the first half of the year alone, 34 influencers were identified as advertising gambling services, with 11 fined. But according to the FMA, revenues from such promotions far exceed the cost of the fines, creating incentives for repeated violations. In response, the agency is exploring whether bloggers’ actions could be legally interpreted as aiding and abetting illegal gambling, a charge similar to promoting financial pyramid schemes, which already carries criminal penalties under Kazakhstani law. Currently, fines for illegal advertising on social media start at 200,000 KZT (approximately $420).