Kazakhstan to re-regulating gambling industry

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports in Kazakhstan is set to recommend stricter rules related to public access to gambling venues.

In an announcement made by Vice Minister, Yerzhan Erkinbayev, he confirmed that his department is set to publish its recommendations on gambling protections in lieu of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s demands.

These demands were outlined recently when the Kazakhstani President addressed the National Security Council stressing the great need for changes in Kazakhstan’s gambling regulations. 

The Recommendations

Amongst the proposals, Erkinbayev has endorsed Kazakhstan’s increase of the current gambling age limit from 21 to 35 years of age.

In a statement, Erkinbayev expressed his approval and highlighted the need to “end the manifestation of gambling addiction amongst Kazakh youth”.

He also pointed to the need to mitigate the negative consequences of the public incurring debt due to gambling addiction.

Another notable recommendation suggests that the Ministry should support new administrative responsibilities to ensure that under no circumstances will be present in gambling venues should they be underage.

The Ministry has also asked the Kazakh Police Force to draft new policies themselves in order to ensure the “criminal liability” of venues serving underage customers. 

Financial restrictions are also called for when related to participation in gambling will be imposed on individuals with overdue loans or financial obligations.

Lack of regulatory framework

As it stands, Kazakhstan has no dedicated framework to address gambling regulations only currently providing a limited set of regulations in certain provinces dating as far back as 2007. 

Currently, the list of recommendations amounts to 62 in relation to gambling and betting operations and activities. These are subject to Presidential review, however, no recommendation has yet been put forth to devise a specific gambling law for Kazakhstan.

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