In Kazakhstan, a new regulation will introduce mandatory deductions on every bet placed in betting shops and totalisators.
Under Government Resolution No. 167, gambling operators are required to transfer 3.3% of each accepted bet. This regulation comes into effect on 27 March 2026.
The funds collected will be directed towards the development of physical culture and sports (45% of funds), support for Olympic sports (21%), financing public projects (21%) and maintaining the operation of a unified system for betting transactions (13%).
Recently, many regulatory updates have come from Kazakhstan. Late last year, it was announced that the Kazakh Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) was considering introducing criminal penalties for influencers involved with promoting online gambling.
At the beginning of this month, Kazakhstani President Tokayev signed a law establishing four new gambling zones in the country. In addition to the existing zones in Kapchagay and Burabay, new gambling areas may be created in the Mangystau, Zhetysu, Almaty and East Kazakhstan regions.
The rules for entry to the new zones were clarified. Only foreign bettors and individuals performing work-related duties are permitted inside casinos.
According to Myrzabosynov, each new casino is expected to generate between KZT 2bn and KZT 3bn ($4m–$6m) in annual tax revenue and create approximately 500 jobs.
In addition to expanding the legal offer, Kazakhstan has been ramping up operations to tackle the illegal market. In February, authorities dismantled an illegal online gambling operation reportedly generating over KZT 3.1bn.
Authorities alleged the group ran and promoted illegal online casinos, sports betting and esports services without authorisation, offering more than 11,000 gambling products.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports anticipates that the influx of foreign gambling visitors will double once new casinos open in four regions of the country
