{"id":152846,"date":"2026-11-04T12:25:13","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T12:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/kazakhstan-gambling-law\/"},"modified":"2026-11-04T13:27:07","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T13:27:07","slug":"kazakhstan-gambling-law","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/kazakhstan-gambling-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Kazakhstan: Gambling Law"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-152846","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-gambling-law","jurisdictions-kazakhstan"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">4H.agency<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2024\/10\/4H-Agency_logo-2.png\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">4H.agency<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2024\/10\/4H-Agency_logo-2.png\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of Gambling Law laws and regulations applicable in Kazakhstan<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the legal definition of gambling?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Under Article 1 of the Gambling Law, gambling is defined as \u2018a risk-based agreement involving a win, concluded by players among themselves or with an operator, depending on the outcome of an event in which the players participate\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Kazakhstan recognises and regulates the following types of gambling: land-based casinos, slot machine halls, sports betting and totalisators (a form of betting in which the operator acts as an intermediary between participants placing bets). Online casinos and online slot games are prohibited.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What legislation applies to gambling? Please provide a summary of the legal\/regulatory framework.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The principal gambling legislation includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Gambling Law (No. 219-III of 12 January 2007).<\/li>\n<li>Decree on Gambling Fees (No. 167 of 12 March 2026).<\/li>\n<li>Gambling by-laws, including the Order on Problem Gambling Warnings (No. 168 of 30 September 2024), Order on the Unified Accounting System (No. 46 of 2 April 2025), Order on Gambling Rules (No. 175 of 9 October 2024), Order on Gambling Operations (No. 195 of 8 July 2020), and Order on Gambling Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML\/CFT) Rules (No. 250 of 19 December 2025).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Other relevant legislation includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>AML\/CFT Law (No. 191-IV of 28 August 2009).<\/li>\n<li>Advertising Law (No. 508-II of 19 December 2003).<\/li>\n<li>Tax Code (No. 120-VI of 25 December 2017).<\/li>\n<li>Penal Code (No. 226-V of 3 July 2014).<\/li>\n<li>Code on Administrative Sanctions (No. 235-V of 5 July 2014).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Which body\/ies regulate gambling?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Regulatory oversight of gambling in Kazakhstan is distributed among several authorities:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Committee for Regulation of Gambling Business and Lottery of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan (the \u2018Regulator\u2019): the primary regulator responsible for licensing and enforcement of gambling laws.<\/li>\n<li>Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Committee for Consumer Protection of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan: the two main authorities overseeing compliance with advertising regulations.<\/li>\n<li>Financial Monitoring Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan: oversees compliance with AML\/CFT regulations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are licences available? If so: a) What is the duration of a licence? b) What types of licences are available? c) Are there different types of licences for B2C and B2B operators? d) Do software suppliers need to be licensed?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p><strong>a. What is the duration of a licence?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>10 years.<\/p>\n<p><strong>b. What types of licences are available?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The following licences are available:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sports betting (bookmaker) licence.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Totalisator licence.<\/li>\n<li>Land-based casino licence.<\/li>\n<li>Slot machine hall licence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Sports betting and totalisator licences are primarily land-based. Online sports betting and online totalisator operations are permitted only to operators holding the relevant land-based licence.<\/p>\n<p>Land-based casinos and slot machine halls may operate only within specially designated gambling zones.<\/p>\n<p>There are no licences for online casinos or online slot games.<\/p>\n<p><strong>c. Are there different types of licences for B2C and B2B operators?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No. Kazakhstan does not license or regulate B2B operators.<\/p>\n<p><strong>d. Do software suppliers need to be licensed?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No. Software suppliers are not subject to separate licensing requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are any types of gambling products prohibited?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Prohibition applies to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Online casino games and online slot games, including gambling offered in real time via the internet through hardware and software systems or online resources (live).<\/li>\n<li>Any gambling offered without a Kazakh licence.<\/li>\n<li>Gambling involving non-monetary stakes or winnings, except in casinos.<\/li>\n<li>Virtual and esports betting, including betting on events generated by software or technical equipment, or on visualisations of events other than their direct transmission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the headline application procedure? Please include any eligibility and other application requirements, including approximate application costs and any need to establish a local presence.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Only Kazakhstan-registered legal entities may apply for a gambling licence. Applicants with relevant criminal convictions, outstanding tax liabilities or a history of bankruptcy are not eligible.<\/p>\n<p>Licence fees amount to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sports betting and totalisator licence \u2013 around USD 6,100.<\/li>\n<li>Casino and slot machine hall licence \u2013 around USD 37,000.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Applicants must also maintain a mandatory financial reserve secured by a bank guarantee:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Totalisator \u2013 around USD 96,500.<\/li>\n<li>Sports betting \u2013 around 385,900.<\/li>\n<li>Casino and slot machine hall \u2013 around USD 578,800.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As part of the licensing process, applicants must demonstrate that they meet the applicable operational, financial and technical requirements. The core requirements include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ownership or long-term lease of compliant premises, whereas casinos and slot machine halls must be located in hotels rated at least three stars, while sports betting and totalisator premises must comply with applicable health and safety requirements.<\/li>\n<li>Ownership of the required gaming or betting equipment.<\/li>\n<li>A security agreement with a licensed private security company.<\/li>\n<li>Internal rules governing operations, games and the acceptance of bets, prepared in Kazakh and Russian.<\/li>\n<li>Financial reserves held with banks in Kazakhstan. These funds may only be used to pay player winnings and must be replenished within three business days if depleted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Detailed requirements vary depending on the product.<\/p>\n<p>Casinos and slot machine halls:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>May operate only within the two designated gambling zones (the Kapchagay reservoir area in Almaty Region and Burabay district in Akmola Region).<\/li>\n<li>Must have at least 30 gaming tables (casinos), and\/or at least 60 machines with a programmed return to player (RTP) of at least 95% (slot machine halls). Samples of gaming chips and other identifiers must be provided in Kazakh and Russian. Gaming equipment must comply with Kazakhstan&#8217;s applicable technical regulations.<\/li>\n<li>Must be located in non-residential premises and may not be located in schools, healthcare facilities, religious institutions, public transport facilities or government buildings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Sports betting and totalisator operators:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Must accept bets only through approved physical or electronic cash desks and only on real upcoming events organised by accredited sports bodies.<\/li>\n<li>Must use certified hardware and software systems to calculate odds, process bets, store player data and interact with state monitoring systems.<\/li>\n<li>Shall register each player before accepting bets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do individuals within the business need to be personally licensed or authorised? If so, please provide headline requirements.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>No. Individuals within the business are not subject to separate licensing or authorisation. However, certain suitability restrictions apply to founders and beneficial owners.<\/p>\n<p>A company may not operate a gambling business if its founder or beneficial owner:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Has an unexpunged criminal conviction for an economic or intentional criminal offence.<\/li>\n<li>Previously owned a company with outstanding tax liabilities or which was declared bankrupt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is advertising of gambling permitted and, if permitted, how is it regulated?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Kazakhstan maintains a restrictive advertising regime for gambling. Advertising of online casinos is prohibited.<\/p>\n<p>Advertising by licensed sports betting and totalisator operators is permitted only under limited conditions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Outdoor advertising is prohibited, except within designated gambling zones.<\/li>\n<li>Indoor advertising is permitted only at sports venues during sporting events.<\/li>\n<li>Advertising on vehicles is prohibited.<\/li>\n<li>Advertising through mass media, online platforms, cinemas and information services is generally prohibited. Exceptions include an operator&#8217;s official website, sports-focused media registered with the Kazakh media authority, and broadcasts of international sporting events by Kazakh television channels.<\/li>\n<li>Direct advertising to mobile subscriber devices is prohibited.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Where advertising is permitted, its content is limited to factual information, including the operator&#8217;s name, trademark, registered address, official website, licence number, date of issue and expiry date.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are marketing affiliates permitted? If so, are they licensed or regulated?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Marketing affiliates are not separately licensed or regulated. However, they are subject to the general restrictions under the Advertising Law.<\/p>\n<p>Gambling advertising on online platforms is prohibited, except on the official websites of licensed sports betting and totalisator operators. This significantly limits the use of affiliates for gambling marketing in Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the penalties for offering, facilitating or marketing unlawful gambling, and can the gambler be penalised for participating in unlawful gambling?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Operating an unlicensed gambling business or facilitating such operations may result in a fine of up to USD 19,300, as well as corrective labour, community service or arrest for up to two years, together with confiscation of property connected with the offence.<\/p>\n<p>Advertising unlawful gambling may result in fines of up to USD 4,300 for legal entities and USD 770 for individuals. Repeat offences may result in increased fines of up to USD 6,300.<\/p>\n<p>These sanctions apply to operators, persons facilitating unlawful gambling and advertisers. Players are not subject to criminal or administrative liability merely for accessing or participating in gambling offered through offshore platforms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Briefly detail key requirements for licensees, including ongoing payment and reporting requirements.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Licensees must continuously comply with the applicable premises, equipment, security and operational requirements.<\/p>\n<p>Casinos must have at least 30 gaming tables and slot machine halls at least 60 machines. Both must operate within designated gambling zones and maintain compliant gaming equipment, video surveillance and approved operating rules.<\/p>\n<p>Sports betting and totalisator operators may offer online betting only under their respective land-based licences. Their electronic cash desks must operate through the Unified Accounting System (UAS).<\/p>\n<p>Licensees must continuously maintain the following mandatory reserves:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Totalisator \u2013 around USD 96,500.<\/li>\n<li>Sports betting \u2013 around 385,900.<\/li>\n<li>Casino and slot machine hall \u2013 around USD 578,800.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Additionally, sports betting and totalisator operators must record and transmit through the UAS information including player identification data, bets, payment methods, stake amounts, odds, winnings, payouts and related transactions.<\/p>\n<p>All licensees are also subject to applicable tax and AML\/CFT reporting requirements and regulatory inspections.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Briefly detail key anti-money laundering requirements.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Gambling operators are financial monitoring entities and must maintain written AML\/CFT internal control procedures, appoint a responsible AML officer, apply a risk-based approach and conduct customer and beneficial owner due diligence.<\/p>\n<p>Operators must identify and verify customers, establish beneficial ownership where applicable, monitor transactions and review threshold, unusually large and suspicious transactions. Enhanced due diligence applies to high-risk customers, politically exposed persons (PEPs) and unusual or suspicious transactions.<\/p>\n<p>Suspicious transactions must generally be reported to the Financial Monitoring Agency no later than the next business day following the relevant determination. Transaction records and customer due diligence (CDD) documentation must generally be retained for at least five years.<\/p>\n<p>For sports betting and totalisator operators, the UAS additionally provides the authorities with detailed player, account and transaction data.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Briefly detail key responsible gambling (or safer gambling) requirements.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The minimum gambling age is 21.<\/p>\n<p>Operators must prevent persons legally prohibited from gambling from participating in gambling, making payments or receiving winnings. This includes self-excluded persons, certain debtors and persons subject to specified criminal law restrictions.<\/p>\n<p>Individuals may self-exclude from gambling for a period ranging from six months to ten years. Operators must verify a player&#8217;s eligibility before permitting participation, with sports betting and totalisator operators conducting automated checks through the UAS.<\/p>\n<p>Operators must also display information on gambling risks and gambling-related harm, publish their gambling rules and pay winnings within three calendar days after the result is determined.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Briefly detail shareholder reporting and approval threshold(s).<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Kazakhstan&#8217;s gambling legislation does not establish a specific shareholder reporting or approval threshold. However, suitability restrictions apply to founders and beneficial owners. For example, certain unexpunged criminal convictions or previous ownership of companies with outstanding tax liabilities or bankruptcy may prevent a company from qualifying for a gambling licence.<\/p>\n<p>For AML\/CFT purposes, an individual who directly or indirectly owns more than 25% of a legal entity is treated as a beneficial owner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Briefly detail the regulator\u2019s enforcement powers, including sanctions and common themes.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Regulator licenses operators, conducts state supervision, monitors compliance and maintains the register of unlicensed and offshore operators. The Financial Monitoring Agency is responsible for AML\/CFT and financial crime enforcement.<\/p>\n<p>Enforcement measures include inspections, administrative fines, licence suspension and licence revocation. Repeated breaches of gambling licensing requirements may result in fines of up to USD 19,300, licence revocation and confiscation of proceeds.<\/p>\n<p>Unlicensed gambling may also result in criminal liability, including confiscation and imprisonment for up to seven years in aggravated cases. Advertising violations are subject to separate administrative fines.<\/p>\n<p>Current enforcement focuses particularly on offshore online casinos, illegal payment processing and dropper networks, influencer advertising, circumvention of the UAS and payment restrictions, participation by prohibited players, and breaches of licensing conditions. The authorities also extensively block offshore gambling websites and related payment transactions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the tax rate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Gambling tax is calculated as a fixed monthly amount for each taxable object:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Gaming table \u2013 around USD 16,000.<\/li>\n<li>Gaming machine \u2013 around USD 580.<\/li>\n<li>Totalisator cash desk \u2013 around USD 2,900.<\/li>\n<li>Electronic totalisator cash desk \u2013 around USD 38,600.<\/li>\n<li>Sports betting cash desk \u2013 around USD 2,900.<\/li>\n<li>Electronic sports betting cash desk \u2013 around 29,000.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In addition, sports betting and totalisator operators must make mandatory contributions equal to 3.3% of each accepted stake. Gambling winnings are also subject to individual income tax, with a 10% rate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is cryptocurrency permitted for online gambling and, if permitted, how is it regulated?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>No. Cryptocurrency is not permitted as a standalone gambling payment method.<\/p>\n<p>Legal online gambling is limited to sports betting and totalisators, and their online payment and payout transactions must be processed and recorded through the UAS. The permitted payment framework is based on money and electronic money rather than direct cryptocurrency transactions.<\/p>\n<p>Gambling operators are prohibited from accepting stakes in property other than money and cannot process gambling payments, including cryptocurrency-related payments, outside the UAS. Transactions involving unlicensed or offshore cryptocurrency exchanges may also be subject to blocking under Kazakhstan&#8217;s financial regulations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any proposals for changing gambling laws and regulations in the next 12-24 months? If so, please provide an overview of the proposed changes and likely timing.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>No major changes are currently proposed. The regulatory direction remains focused on tighter control of gambling payments, UAS-based supervision, responsible gambling measures and enforcement against offshore operators.<\/p>\n<p>A significant structural change has already been enacted recently: on 26 August 2026, the Government designated additional areas for casinos and slot machine halls accessible only to foreign citizens and certain other permitted persons. These areas are located in parts of Almaty, Mangystau, Zhetysu, East Kazakhstan, West Kazakhstan and Abai regions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What key regulatory developments are proposed or on the horizon in the next 12-24 months?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>No major structural reform is expected, and the prohibition on online casinos and online slot games is likely to remain in place.<\/p>\n<p>The main regulatory developments are expected to concern stronger responsible gambling controls, continued blocking of offshore operators and associated payments, and further centralisation of financial and player monitoring through the UAS.<\/p>\n<p>The market is also moving towards a more formalised and closely supervised regulatory model, with increased emphasis on regulatory reporting, monitoring of licensed operators and enforcement of existing restrictions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do you foresee any imminent risks to the growth of the gambling market in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes. The absence of a standalone online gambling licence significantly limits market entry. Online operations are permitted only for sports betting and totalisators holding the relevant land-based licence, while online casinos and online slot games remain prohibited. Land-based operators are also subject to extensive requirements relating to location, premises, equipment and operations.<\/p>\n<p>There is no separate licensing regime for B2B suppliers or aggregators, while strict advertising rules significantly restrict the channels available to licensed operators and their marketing partners.<\/p>\n<p>These restrictions may contribute to continued player demand for offshore gambling services, while licensed operators face increasing compliance and operating costs. At the same time, continued blocking of offshore websites, payment restrictions and enforcement against unlicensed operators create additional uncertainty for the wider market.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">If a gambling start-up was looking for a jurisdiction in which to commence its activities, why would it choose yours?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Kazakhstan offers a relatively stable regulatory framework, an established gambling market and a sizeable player base.<\/p>\n<p>Licence fees remain comparatively accessible, although market entry requires local incorporation and, for sports betting and totalisators, a land-based presence. The market also benefits from sustained demand for betting and gambling products and a well-established customer base.<\/p>\n<p>Kazakhstan may therefore be attractive to operators seeking access to a mature Central Asian gambling market and prepared to operate within its relatively strict licensing, infrastructure and advertising requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">2856<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/152846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=152846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}