Gambling and online casinos in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is one of the few countries in the world where gambling is completely and unconditionally banned.

The country strictly controls any manifestations of gambling activities, including online gambling, bookmakers and even private draws.

Unlike neighboring Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan, where the gambling industry is regulated by law, Turkmenistan adheres to a strict model of complete prohibition.

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Historical context

After independence in 1991, Turkmenistan inherited the Soviet system of gambling bans.

Until the early 2000s, several casinos and gaming halls operated in Ashgabat and large cities, serving foreign specialists and diplomats.

However, in 2009, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a decree banning casinos and gambling establishments altogether.

Since then, there has not been a single legal casino, bookmaker or private lottery in the country.

All forms of gambling are recognized as illegal, and their organization entails serious consequences.

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Legislative framework

Main legal acts:

1. The Law of Turkmenistan "On the Prohibition of Gambling" (2009) - prohibits the organization and participation in gambling.

2. Criminal Code of Turkmenistan (Article 277) - establishes punishment for organizing or assisting in gambling (fine, confiscation of property, up to 5 years in prison).

3. The Law "On the Prevention of Offenses in the Field of Information Technology" (2016) - regulates the blocking of sites related to online gambling.

Key points:

• casinos, bookmakers, slot machines - prohibited;
• online gambling and casino sites - blocked at the provider level;
• participation of citizens in rates, even on foreign sites, is considered an administrative violation;
• advertising of gambling, including social networks and instant messengers, is prohibited;
• lotteries are held only by government agencies, without risk elements.

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Online gambling and digital control

Access to foreign online casinos and betting platforms in Turkmenistan is officially blocked.

The state Internet provider Turkmentelecom filters all traffic, and the use of VPN or proxy services is formally illegal.

Despite this, residents of the country periodically use offshore sites like 1xBet, Mostbet, Stake, GGbet, connecting via VPN.

Settlements most often occur through cryptocurrencies (USDT, Bitcoin, TRON), which makes transactions difficult to track.

According to international analysts, the shadow online gambling market in Turkmenistan is estimated at about $30-40 million per year, although official data are not available.

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State position

The Turkmen government views gambling as a threat to public morality and stability.

State policy is based on three principles:

1. Moral and religious prohibition - Islam prohibits gambling as haram;

2. Social control - protection of citizens from dependence and debts;

3. Economic stability - preventing currency leakage abroad.

Instead of casinos, Turkmenistan develops sports tourism and entertainment complexes without bets.

In large resorts, for example, in Avaz, there are hotels with game simulators, but without cash winnings.

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Fighting illegal operators

Control over the Internet space is carried out by:

• Department of Homeland Security (MNS);
• State Service of Communications and Informatization;
• Ministry of the Interior.

Measures include:

• permanent blocking of domains with gambling content;
• monitoring of cryptocurrency transactions;
• prosecution of intermediaries helping to withdraw funds abroad;
• fines and arrests for using VPNs for betting.

In 2024, the cyber department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the closure of more than 250 sites and Telegram channels related to gambling and betting.

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Social and religious aspect

In Turkmenistan, Islam plays an important role in shaping state morality.

Gambling is regarded as a sinful activity that undermines discipline, work ethic and family values.

This position is supported by the state, which makes the prospects of legalization extremely unlikely.

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Lotteries and government draws

The only legal form of "luck game" is state lotteries run by Türkmen Döwlet Lotereýasy.

They are organized under the control of the Ministry of Finance and do not provide for a gambling element (payments are symbolic, and profits are directed to charity).

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Prospects

In the foreseeable future, the legalization of gambling in Turkmenistan is unlikely.

The government views gambling as a sector "unacceptable in terms of religion and public morality."

However, analysts note that:

• growing interest in digital currencies;
• mobile internet penetration;
• and the examples of neighboring Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan may in the future lead to the creation of controlled game zones for foreigners - for example, on the coast of the Caspian Sea or in Avaz.

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Turkmenistan is one of the most closed gambling jurisdictions in the world.

Everything is prohibited here: casinos, online gambling, bets and private lotteries.

Any attempt to organize a game for money is punishable by law.

If Turkmenistan ever decides to partially legalize, it will be solely for the sake of foreign tourists and foreign exchange earnings, but at the moment the state is confidently holding the course for a complete ban.