Kazakhstan's regulated betting sector experienced a significant downturn in the first half of 2026, with user participation decreasing by nearly 70%. A recent report by Blask attributes this sharp decline to regulatory changes that disrupted payment processing for licensed operators in the industry.
The most impactful change came with the introduction of the Unified Betting Accounting System (ESU) and the mandatory adoption of NomadPay. Many betting companies struggled to comply with these new legislative requirements, leading to banks freezing deposits and withdrawals for most licensed operators.
In response, some gamblers turned to unlicensed alternatives as law enforcement began actively enforcing the new regulations.
These payment changes are part of a broader initiative aimed at reinforcing the gambling framework in Kazakhstan. Authorities have already enhanced self-exclusion options, strengthened oversight on illegal gambling transactions, tightened compliance requirements, and increased financial control measures within the industry.
Despite this downturn, betting remains the most favored form of gambling in Kazakhstan. The country continues to regulate gambling in accordance with the Gambling Law revised in May 2026, which mandates that licensed bookmakers handle electronic bets and payouts through a central accounting system. This allows authorities to oversee transactions, verify player identities, and detect unlicensed gambling sites.
