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Gambling and online casinos in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is one of the most conservative countries in Central Asia regarding gambling.
After the collapse of the USSR, gambling was completely banned here, and since then any form of casinos, slot machines and online gambling have remained illegal.
Nevertheless, the rapid growth of the digital economy, cryptocurrencies and international platforms has led to the fact that online gambling actively exists in the shadows.
Legislative framework
Gambling in Uzbekistan is prohibited by current legislation, but in recent years the state has begun to discuss the possibility of partial legalization.
Main regulations:1. Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. ZRU-120 "On the prohibition of gambling" (2007) - a complete ban on casinos, slot machines and betting.
2. Presidential Decree No. PP-4611 (2019) - allows the creation of sweepstakes and sports bets under the control of the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports.
3. Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 777 (2021) - clarifies the procedure for licensing bookmakers.
4. The Criminal Code, Article 278 - provides for punishment for organizing and participating in gambling (fine, arrest, imprisonment up to 3 years).
Key points:- casinos, slot machines and online gambling are prohibited;
- only sports betting is allowed through licensed betting platforms;
- participation of citizens in offshore casinos is equivalent to an administrative offense;
- using cryptocurrencies for gambling is also punishable by law;
- advertising and promotion of gambling is a criminal offense.
Legal forms of games
After 2019, an exception appeared in the country: sweepstakes and sports bets are allowed within the framework of the state program "Development of Fair Sports."
Licenses are issued by the Ministry of Sports, and payment operations are controlled by the National Bank.
At the moment, there are several licensed sports betting operators in the country, for example:- UZB Pari
- Olimbet UZ
- BetUz (in pilot mode)
However, these platforms can only accept bets on sporting events, and any casino functions (roulette, slots, poker, etc.) are prohibited.
Online gambling
Online casinos and gambling sites in Uzbekistan are completely banned.
The Ministry of Digital Technologies regularly blocks offshore domains and Telegram groups associated with the gambling business.
Real situation:- players massively use VPN and foreign platforms (1xBet, Mostbet, Parimatch, W88);
- deposits are made through cryptocurrency (USDT, BTC, TRX) or e-wallets;
- offshore sites operate in Russian and Uzbek;
- access to them is blocked, but mirrors appear.
In 2023 alone, more than 12,000 sites related to online gambling were blocked in the country.
Despite this, according to analysts, the shadow gambling market reaches $100-150 million per year.
Economic and social position of the state
The government of Uzbekistan adheres to a tough anti-gaming policy, arguing this:- the risks of gambling addiction;
- combating money laundering;
- protecting young people from "digital temptations";
- religious and moral principles.
However, economists and some deputies note that the country loses millions of dollars annually, which go offshore.
As a result, in 2023, discussions began about a possible partial legalization limited to tourist areas and online operators with foreign licenses.
According to the Ministry of Economy (2024), a scenario is being considered following the example of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan:- allow casinos and online gambling only for foreigners;
- introduce tax 15-20% GGR;
- create a regulated iGaming hub in Tashkent or on the coast of the Aral Sea.
Fighting the illegal sector
Control over illegal operators is carried out by:- Cybersecurity Agency of Uzbekistan;
- Ministry of the Interior (MVD);
- State Commission for Supervision of Telecommunications.
- blocking sites and Telegram bots;
- arrests of underground betting organizers;
- tracking cryptocurrency transactions;
- administrative fines up to 100 basic calculated values (~ $3,000).
In 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the closure of more than 250 Telegram groups that accepted sports and casino bets.
Religious aspect
Islam plays a significant role in the life of Uzbekistan, and religious leaders strongly condemn gambling.
The Muftiate of Uzbekistan has repeatedly reminded that gambling refers to "sinful activities" (haram).
However, the state is gradually building a balance between religion and economics:- authorities avoid publicly promoting gambling but allow it to be discussed in the context of tourism and investment.
Taxation (planned model for legalization)
Prospects
Experts predict that in 2025-2027, Uzbekistan may take the first steps towards the legalization of a limited gambling business aimed at foreign tourists and offshore investors.
Most likely scenario:1. Creation of tourist gambling zones in Tashkent and Samarkand.
2. Introduction of licenses for online operators with foreign capital.
3. Using casino taxes to finance sports and IT infrastructure.
However, any liberalization will take place under the slogan:Uzbekistan is still a country with a strict ban on gambling, but is gradually realizing the potential of legalized iGaming as a tool for economic growth and tourism.
Online casinos are illegal here, but the market exists in the shadows - through VPNs, cryptocurrencies and offshore companies.
between tradition and the digital age,
between religious prohibition and economic pragmatism.
If reforms are implemented, Uzbekistan can become the new center of legal gambling in Central Asia, following the example of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
