Kyrgyzstan's State Financial Supervision Authority has clarified its plans to strengthen internet controls, saying the measures will target illegal online gambling platforms rather than restrict wider internet access.
According to operational data and analytical research cited by the authority, one large illegal gambling operator alone attracts more than 40,000 active users from Kyrgyzstan each month.
The watchdog also highlighted the financial implications, noting that gambling accounts are primarily funded through international payment systems and bank cards, resulting in money being transferred abroad.
The clarification follows comments by Kairat Mamatov, Chairman of the State Financial Supervision Authority, who called for greater control over internet traffic and expanded content filtering, including measures to protect children.
Speaking on local radio, Mamatov said Kyrgyzstan is studying international approaches to restricting access to illegal online casinos and other internet content.
In a subsequent statement, the authority stressed that the proposals would not affect access to social media, messaging applications or news websites, nor would they involve monitoring private correspondence or restricting freedom of speech.
Last week, Kyrgyz lawmakers advanced legislation to prohibit gambling conducted through binary options and strengthen criminal penalties for illegal gambling and lottery operations.
The parliamentary Committee on Finance, Budget, Entrepreneurship and Competition Development approved the draft amendments at the second-reading stage on 27 October. Parliament had approved the bill in its first reading on 7 October.
Mamatov said platforms offering opportunities to profit from movements in share prices, currencies and other assets could operate on principles comparable to gambling.
Ministry of Finance figures show that gambling tax collections reached KGS 443.4m ($5.07m) between January and August 2026, with casinos accounting for approximately 95.3% of the total
