Kazakhstan is shifting ahead with plans to widen the geographic footprint of its regulated playing trade, following the adoption of recent laws aimed toward strengthening the tourism sector. The initiative, accredited by lawmakers in late December, would enable casinos to function in extra designated zones past the nation’s present playing areas. Officials say the trouble focuses on drawing overseas guests, growing price range revenues, and supporting regional employment, whereas retaining playing confined to tightly managed places.
The legislative modifications had been accredited on December 29, when the Mazhilis handed the legislation “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan Regarding Support for the Tourism Industry.” The measure allows the growth of on line casino exercise and authorizes the creation of recent playing zones designed primarily for worldwide vacationers. Existing authorized playing zones are presently positioned in Borovoye and Kapchagay, with playing in any other case restricted to particular areas and controlled on-line platforms.
Regions Identified for New Gambling Zones
Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov stated the federal government has already recognized a number of areas the place new on line casino zones could also be established. Proposed places replicate areas with established or growing tourism infrastructure.
According to data reported by QRNews, potential websites embrace the Caspian Sea shoreline within the Mangystau Region, the shore of Lake Alakol within the Panfilov District of Zhetysu Region, the Talgar District in Almaty Region, and areas round Markakol in addition to the Zaysan District in East Kazakhstan Region. While these areas have been named, authorities haven’t but finalized actual plots of land.
Myrzabosynov defined that accountability for choosing exact places lies with native akimats, or regional govt authorities. This method permits regional governments to assess infrastructure readiness and tourism potential earlier than approving on line casino building. Gambling stays authorized solely inside designated zones, primarily round Almaty and Shchuchinsk, underneath Kazakhstan’s present regulatory framework.
Economic Impact and Employment Expectations
Government officers have highlighted the anticipated fiscal contribution of every new on line casino as a central justification for the growth. Speaking throughout a authorities briefing, Myrzabosynov said, “A single casino can generate between 2 to 3 billion tenge in tax revenue for the budget and create approximately 500 jobs.” These figures align with broader estimates supplied by the ministry, which place annual tax contributions per on line casino within the vary of two billion to 3 billion tenge, equal to roughly $4.3 million to $6.5 million.
Beyond tax receipts, authorities level to employment as a key profit for host areas. Each on line casino complicated is predicted to make use of round 500 individuals, supporting native labor markets and associated service industries. Officials consider these developments may stimulate each home and inbound tourism by combining gaming with different leisure and hospitality choices.
Myrzabosynov has repeatedly emphasised that the coverage goals to strengthen tourism moderately than alter the tax remedy of the playing trade. Addressing public hypothesis, he stated, “There is no question of lowering taxes. Casinos pay taxes on every gaming table. Overall, annual tax contributions are expected to range from two to three billion tenge.” Similar wording was utilized in different public remarks, underscoring the federal government’s place that fiscal obligations will stay unchanged.
Tourism Strategy and Future Expansion
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has framed the on line casino growth as a part of a broader tourism technique modeled on practices utilized in different international locations. Officials argue that putting playing zones in scenic or resort-oriented areas can appeal to guests whereas limiting social dangers by confining playing to accredited places.
Authorities have additionally signaled that the present listing of playing zones will not be ultimate. Myrzabosynov famous that the federal government may authorize extra zones later if the preliminary websites show efficient in supporting tourism development. “These zones have been determined for now, but they may be expanded in the future, all in the interest of developing tourism,” he stated.
For now, consideration has shifted to regional administrations, which can decide actual websites throughout the accredited areas. As these selections transfer ahead, Kazakhstan’s authorities maintains that it’s going to steadiness financial improvement targets with strict regulation, retaining playing exercise restricted to clearly outlined zones.
