Author: Aksaule Abitai
Mentor: Kalima Tazhikul
According to official data from the Ministry of Finance, only 13 betting companies in Kazakhstan are licensed and officially registered. In contrast, the number of illegal operators working in the shadows has reached 4,000. These entities pay no taxes and bear no responsibility to either the state or the players. Parliament is currently working to tighten legislation regulating the gambling industry. Restrictions have been introduced, including bans on outdoor advertising and gambling by civil servants and military personnel. A new regulatory body is expected to be established to monitor bookmakers' financial transactions. However, experts warn that these reforms may stifle the legal market while unintentionally boosting the underground one. Is there a real solution to combating illegal betting operators? What steps can be taken to make the gambling market more transparent and socially responsible?
*The original article is written in Kazakh
The full article prepared by the project resident is available at: https://kz.kursiv.media/kk/2025-04-15/slbt-bughattalghan-4000-sajt-koelengkedegi-bukmekerlerdi-qalaj-tizgindejmiz/