Kazakhstan's online betting sector has seen explosive growth, skyrocketing by 965% last year as residents placed a staggering $786 million in digital bets. According to a report by Finprom, referencing data from the Bureau of National Statistics, online gambling now represents nearly two-thirds of the national betting market, a stark contrast to 2024, when it only accounted for 6%.
This remarkable increase in online betting stands in stark contrast to the declining fortunes of the traditional gambling industry. Revenues from land-based casinos plummeted over 16%, dropping to $53 million, while income from slot machines fell by 17% to $9.3 million.
The surge in online gambling propelled the overall gambling market to reach a record volume of $1.26 billion, which is a 2% increase compared to last year's figures and reflects a staggering 30-fold growth since the end of the last decade. Data indicates that an influx of local operators is displacing foreign firms, with Kazakh companies now accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total gambling market in 2025 — a dramatic shift from 2024, when foreign entities controlled approximately 73% of the sector.
However, the idea that casino operators always profit has been challenged in Kazakhstan. Punters wagered a total of $3.4 billion but operators paid out a remarkable $2.3 billion in winnings.
The sharp rise in gambling activities has raised concerns regarding addiction. In January, the Ministry of Finance reported that approximately 0.7 million citizens, or 15% to 20% of the adult population, frequently place bets. Critics argue that the gaming industry's success is breeding numerous gambling addiction issues.
In response, the government has established a self-exclusion registry allowing individuals to voluntarily block themselves from land-based casinos and online betting sites. Current statistics show that around 457,400 individuals have utilized this self-exclusion system, with 223,600 still registered as of May.
Despite claims from experts that over 350,000 people may exhibit symptoms of gambling addiction, only nine have been officially diagnosed in the country as of early 2026. Recently, the government has implemented various regulations, including banning advertisements from bookmakers, raising the minimum legal gambling age to 21, and prohibiting civil servants from participating in online betting.
Politicians have voiced concerns about undiagnosed gambling addicts becoming trapped in debt; one lawmaker recently proposed that the government temporarily suspend bank loan repayments for those diagnosed with gambling addiction. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's government has reported that domestic banks have intercepted illegal betting transactions worth $21 million.
Despite these growing concerns, the authorities have approved the establishment of new land-based casino zones and are actively seeking investors for these projects.
