Tashkent casino bust uncovers $900,000 in Illegal online gambling

Kateryna Skrypnyk August 30, 2024

SiGMA news

Tashkent casino bust uncovers $900,000 in Illegal online gambling

Authorities in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, have detained 12 foreigners and 18 locals suspected of organizing an illegal online gambling operation in an apartment in the Yakkasaray district of the capital. This was reported by Gazeta.uz, citing information from the city police press service.

During the raid, police seized 37 laptops and routers, $1,400 in cash, 34 SIM cards, seven phones, and 12 bank cards as evidence. Investigators revealed that the operation had converted $900,000 over the past three months.

A criminal case has been opened under Article 278, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which addresses the “Organization and conduct of gambling and other risk-based games.” The suspects are currently being held in detention as a preventive measure.

Massive spending on online gambling in Uzbekistan

Since 1 September, 2007, Uzbekistan has banned the organization and conduct of gambling, including the operation of casinos. Violators can face up to seven years in prison. However, these restrictions only apply to residents, leading many Uzbek players to turn to international operators. Nodirzhan Juraev, Head of the Department for Regulation of the Circulation of Crypto Assets at the National Agency for Advanced Projects (NAPP), estimates that $300 million to $1 billion is transferred out of Uzbekistan annually for online gambling.

Legalization of gambling in Uzbekistan

In early May this year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (pictured above) signed a decree legalizing betting activities in Uzbekistan, effective 1 January, 2025. The draft law has been reviewed by the government and approved by the President.

Starting in 2025, the organization of online games and betting activities will be permitted in Uzbekistan under licenses issued by the NAPP. Compliance with all regulations will be overseen by the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General’s Office.

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