Gambling business in Uzbekistan

Gambling business is prohibited by law in Uzbekistan. Therefore, there are no online casinos and land-based gambling establishments in this region. Nevertheless, in 2021, the Uzbek authorities are going to legalize betting. According to local media information, the government is going to make Muynake a gambling zone.

In 1991, the authorities completely prohibited all gambling activities in Uzbekistan. In 2002, the government decided to eliminate such friendly games as billiards. After 17 years, they made billiards legal again.

Among the various types of gambling activities, the lottery business is allowed in Uzbekistan. To legally conduct this type of business, you need to obtain a license. It is worth noting that operators must pay a fee to the government for the issuance of this license. You can find this requirement in the resolution №314, “On licensing activities for organizing lotteries.” The rest of the games related to gambling are prohibited in Uzbekistan. However, despite the ban, illegal casinos and bookmakers operate in Uzbekistan.

Lottery

The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan empowers the National Bank of Uzbekistan to organize and conduct lotteries. As for the regional draws, they are conducted by specialized entities. These entities are also State-run. People who have reached the age of majority have the right to take part in lotteries.

Three types of lotteries in Uzbekistan:

• Numerical lottery
• Instant lottery
• Drawing lottery

Betting in Uzbekistan

Betting has been banned in Uzbekistan for a very long time, like all gambling activities. In 2019, the authorities of Uzbekistan decided to raise the issue of legalizing bookmakers because due to the prohibition of this type of gambling, the country’s budget loses $50 million. Players from Uzbekistan spend this amount on foreign bookmakers, placing bets on sports there. And also, illegal bookmakers continue to operate in the country.

According to the decree of the President of Uzbekistan, amendments were to be made to the legislation in order to legalize betting. These changes were aimed at regulating online betting, taking half of the income from betting activities to develop sports, and establishing State control. However, the question regarding the legalization of bookmakers remained open, as this document was not submitted on time. According to information from open sources, despite the fact that the document was not completed on time, it must be provided.

How to open an online casino in Uzbekistan?

Even though gambling business is still prohibited in Uzbekistan, operators can obtain a license in the foreign or offshore jurisdiction. This kind of license provides their gambling establishment to work legally in the market and attract players from Uzbekistan and other countries. Legalizing online casinos is not an easy process, and you will need to understand all the complex legal issues. Therefore, in order to bypass this complicated bureaucratic process, you should contact specialists who will help you get a license for an online casino. Also, do not forget to think about a good marketing strategy that will increase your site’s visits and attract many players.

References

How to start an online casino in 2021. Step-by-step guide | Slotegrator Academy — YouTube