Authorities in Kazakhstan have uncovered an illegal online gambling operation reportedly generating over KZT 3.1bn ($6.3m).
The investigation, led by the Anti-Financial Crimes Department (AFM) of the Mangystau region, targets an individual named Rantik Bakhtiyar Ogly.
He is suspected of organising the operation through the platform bingo37.pro, which offered more than 1,000 games, including popular titles such as Crazy Monkey, Keno and Euro Game.
According to reports, players were recruited via Telegram and WhatsApp, where promotional materials, videos and incentives were used to attract participants.
Following payment transfers, users received login credentials to access the platform.
To hide financial transactions, the suspect reportedly used “droppers,” foreign nationals from Georgia and Tajikistan who opened bank accounts and phone numbers in Kazakhstan before handing control of them over to the operator.
Additionally, the court confiscated two vehicles – a Porsche Cayenne and a Lexus GX 460 – which, according to the investigation, were registered to third parties to conceal assets.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further details have not been disclosed in accordance with Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Last week, the Kazakhstan Financial Monitoring Agency dismantled a large unlicensed online gambling network in the Almaty region, seizing assets worth over KZT420m (around $900,000).
Authorities alleged the group ran and promoted illegal online casinos, sports betting and esports services without authorisation, offering more than 11,000 gambling products.
The operation was reportedly structured through nominee-registered companies, with payments handled via bank cards, electronic payment systems and cryptocurrencies.
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