Kazakhstan builds new casinos, bets on foreign gambling

According to the Committee for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries under Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the country is planning to develop the casino business in two areas: the Tepliy Plyazh area in the Mangystau region and the Akbulak international tourist center in the Almaty region. All casinos in these areas will be reserved exclusively for foreigners.

The casinos will be built with private investment, officials said.

Earlier this year, Sapar Rakhmensheyev, head of the Almaty Mental Health Center, said that online casinos pose the greatest threat to Kazakhstani gambling addicts due to their accessibility. However, authorities believe that expanding the casino business outside major cities is not expected to have a significant impact on the number of gambling addicts in Kazakhstan.

Additionally, Senate Deputy Gennady Shipovskikh proposed banning online casino advertising on social media in Kazakhstan, placing it on par with the promotion of drugs, pornography and «miracle cures.»