Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports pushes for four new casino zones
Casinos currently operate in Kazakhstan in Konaev and Akmola
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has given the green light for four new regions to open up to casino-style gaming, although they will be foreign-only operations.
Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports Baurzhan Rapikov confirmed the proposed locations for the new gaming floors would be the East Kazakhstan, Almaty, Mangistau, and Zhetysu regions.
He expects the number of foreign gambling tourists to double following the planned opening of new casinos in four regions of the country.
“The expected economic effect includes about 500 jobs per casino, annual tax revenues of 2 to 4bn tenge ($3.9m to $7.9m), and growth in the number of gambling tourists from the current 100,000 to 200,000,” the deputy minister said.
Currently, casino operations in Kazakhstan are permitted along the Kapshagay Reservoir in the city of Konaev and in the Shchuchinsk-Borovoye Resort Area, in the Akmola region, with access for both domestic and foreign customers. Bookmakers and totalizators can operate nationwide.. By the end of 2024, there were 28 licenses covering casinos, slot-machine halls, bookmakers, and totalizators with nine full casino licences.
Of the four new regions, Almaty, in the southeast, is Kazakhstan’s largest city and former capital, and is a natural choice for expansion, as it is already a major tourist draw. East Kazakhstan offers rugged natural beauty and adventure tourism potential. Mangistau is known for its unique landscape and ancient history. Zhetysu boasts natural parks and pristine lakes and attracts tourists looking for outdoor activities alongside gaming.
