Uzbekistan has legalized gambling.

[Julien_Olynpic]

Another country has legalized gambling, and this one is Uzbekistan. The story began back in 2019, when the Ministry of Sports Development discussed the legalization project, and the president even signed a decree legalizing bookmaking from January 1, 2021.
After that, there was a long break until 2024. On April 19, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree "On measures to improve the regulation of the organization and conduct of lotteries and risk-based games." After issuing licenses, companies are allowed to organize risk-based games online and conduct bookmaking from January 1, 2025.
The National Agency for Prospective Projects (NAPP) became the regulator: it develops the rules and issues permits.

There are restrictions on who can play: minors, persons recognized as incompetent, certain categories of civil servants, and those included in special social registries are prohibited from participating. Currently, two Russian gambling companies operate in the country: Olimpbet (olimpbet.uz) and Aurum Vale (oltinbet.uz).
However, analysts note the lack of transparency in the licensing process and the practice of forcing "partners" to complete the process. Furthermore, this is a relatively new type of licensed activity, which could lead to the emergence of addictive gamblers.

[yhiaali3]

As far as I know, Uzbekistan is a predominantly Muslim country, but apparently the religious leaders have no influence there, otherwise they would not have allowed the approval of such a law concerning the legalization of gambling.

It is good that the law prohibits minors and government employees from gambling, but I did not understand what "persons recognized as incompetent" means. This phrase can be interpreted in many ways; the law needs to be more specific.

[osasshem]

As a new system fully supported by the government of Uzbekistan, I am sure the licence will have some sections that's that will possibly talk about the part of addiction, because there will be an increased rate of gambling addiction within the country as time goes on. The part of "forcing partners to complete the process..." (which is not clearly stated) will be another section that will make the users of these gambling platforms be the victims of whatever may be the final agreement on the licence.

It is a good things for there to be restrictions on minors, and other sets of the people in the country as that will help mitigate addiction from some sets of the citizens.

[Ziskinberg]

They are the first two operators that were issued licenses, and probably they saw the demand for gambling that's why they decided to change their principles now. Now that gambling is allowed including sports betting, I wonder what the result will be for the country hopefully as they open this for operators they also ensure they have programs to combat gambling addiction, so this will not result in gambling problems like other countries have experienced.

[Don Pedro Dinero]

It stands to reason. A country that bans gambling simply ends up losing tax revenue and leaving consumers unprotected. What the OP failed to mention is why he is reporting this now, given that gambling was officially legalised almost two years ago. He should have specified that, following legalisation, the licences for those companies were issued a few months ago.

[Darker45]

With the rise of online technologies, it seems it's either you legalize it or they continue operating illegally. In which case, you better open the market, earn from it, and regulate it as you see fit.

Especially if the country isn't extremely strict in its implementation, illegal gambling will always find a way to operate, therefore addiction and other social illness would continue to plague the nation, and you might not have the necessary cure or defenses since gambling is illegal.

I can only hope the restrictions in Uzbekistan are seriously implemented.

[Cryptoprincess101]

There are restrictions on who can play: minors, persons recognized as incompetent, certain categories of civil servants, and those included in special social registries are prohibited from participating. Currently, two Russian gambling companies operate in the country: Olimpbet (olimpbet.uz) and Aurum Vale (oltinbet.uz).

Since there are some restrictions to who is qualified to gamble and who isn't qualified to gamble I think it is a welcome development. I like as there is prohibition to some civil servants so that those who are earning low amount should not be allowed to gamble otherwise they will form an addition while trying to maximise their source of income through gambling. At least those Russian gambling companies will operate without fear because since Uzbekistan is a Muslim country they must have been operating in fear that gambling might be banned one day but this legalisation is now a relief to them. Hope the Uzbekistan government will not impose heavy taxation on them.

However, analysts note the lack of transparency in the licensing process and the practice of forcing "partners" to complete the process. Furthermore, this is a relatively new type of licensed activity, which could lead to the emergence of addictive gamblers.

Even after the restrictions on some certain set of people? Even if it will give birth to addictive gamblers it will majorly have to do with those who have a good source of income.

[Ishicryptic]

With the rise of online technologies, it seems it's either you legalize it or they continue operating illegally. In which case, you better open the market, earn from it, and regulate it as you see fit.

Especially if the country isn't extremely strict in its implementation, illegal gambling will always find a way to operate, therefore addiction and other social illness would continue to plague the nation, and you might not have the necessary cure or defenses since gambling is illegal.

I can only hope the restrictions in Uzbekistan are seriously implemented.

As far as gamblers in a country that bans gambling activities can bypass their country's restrictions and gamble illegally I believe that it is best that the government should legalize and regulate the sector, except for countries who are very strict on religious matters they should allow gambling. I think that most governments that restricts gambling should focus more on strictly regulating the casinos that they allow to operate in their country rather than a complete ban, many countries are benefiting through taxations on casinos and these  countries shouldn't be left behind.

[Dickiy]

Although there is some kind of restriction on who is prohibited from gambling specifically for the category of civil servants, could there be exceptions such as those who gamble outside their working hours as civil servants?
I did not even expect a country like Uzbekistan to make such a bold regulation in placing gambling. Considering that almost 90% of the country is Muslim, and where gambling is strictly prohibited in the rules of the religion. Isn't this usually a pretty sensitive issue especially the country as a whole?

[Unsoldier]

It turns out to be quite an interesting story. In a country where the vast majority of the population is Muslim, they suddenly legalize casinos and betting. It seems that when it comes to billions in tax revenues for the budget, religion can take a back seat, or even a third seat. Of course, I suspect the local population was already losing money in some sort of basement casinos anyway; it's just that now they will be doing it officially, and the government will be able to collect taxes, filling its budget through gambling.

[Gozie51]

There are restrictions on who can play: minors, persons recognized as incompetent, certain categories of civil servants, and those included in special social registries are prohibited from participating.

Restrictions are normal for certain categories like minors, persons recognized as incompetent etc but the gamut of categories of civil servants, military personnels etc will be wide for the government to monitor and that will encourage unlicensed casinos because if you have many categories that are under restriction, they will find somewhere to play.  It means the gambling is meant for certain small group of people. Limiting many other categories looks like caging or selecting few.

[swogerino]

As far as I know, Uzbekistan is a predominantly Muslim country, but apparently the religious leaders have no influence there, otherwise they would not have allowed the approval of such a law concerning the legalization of gambling.

It is good that the law prohibits minors and government employees from gambling, but I did not understand what "persons recognized as incompetent" means. This phrase can be interpreted in many ways; the law needs to be more specific.

They are Muslim country same as Turkey, they pretend to be Muslims but they follow international standard by wearing suit and ties and shaving everyday, something true Muslims don't do as I have a lot of Muslim colleagues here and my opinion is based on what I hear from them. So nothing to be surprised as Uzbekistan has strong ties with Turkey and have the religion more as a cultural thing rather than true religion itself. Legalizing gambling feels only natural when the government is a secular one and not a religious one.

[adultcrypto]

This is a smart decision by the government of Uzbekistan, one that will surely bring more money to the country than they can imagine. I love as they drew the line on who is allowed to gamble in line with global best practices. "Incompetent" in that law should refer to those having health challenges and those suffering addiction should also fall into this category because addiction is a mental health issue so casinos ought to protect such persons. Banning civil servants from gambling too is a very nice clause added to the law to avoid insider trading such as we are seeing in the US.

[Oasisman]

It turns out to be quite an interesting story. In a country where the vast majority of the population is Muslim, they suddenly legalize casinos and betting. It seems that when it comes to billions in tax revenues for the budget, religion can take a back seat, or even a third seat. Of course, I suspect the local population was already losing money in some sort of basement casinos anyway; it's just that now they will be doing it officially, and the government will be able to collect taxes, filling its budget through gambling.

Indeed, it has been reported that Uzbek people were already throwing away millions if not billions of money to illegal offshore online gambling sites. So, their government's philosophy behind this is that, if they can't put a stop to it, tax them.
Religious belief and morals can take a backseat if this is the only way to control their people from simultaneously wasting away their wealth into an illegal foreign business.
I think this is something very concerning on their end that moral beliefs may understand and consider the decision of allowing gambling to operate legally inside the country.

[5W-KILO]

Since this is a neighborhood country of the almighty Islam I wouldn't sit on this because there is always a chance of reversal in the future, if any small thing happens they will easily blame gambling and question why they allowed it in the first place.

This shouldn't be categories as a good news, it's more of a countdown.

[Ashawowo(OS)]

It stands to reason. A country that bans gambling simply ends up losing tax revenue and leaving consumers unprotected. What the OP failed to mention is why he is reporting this now, given that gambling was officially legalised almost two years ago. He should have specified that, following legalisation, the licences for those companies were issued a few months ago.

This means these two companies OP mentioned has been operating without valid license ever since or did they just start operating few months ago after they were issued licenses?

Again does this now mean other casinos are now free to explore the Uzbekistan gambling market to obtain license to start offering gambling services to the country?

[Justbillywitt]

As far as I know, Uzbekistan is a predominantly Muslim country, but apparently the religious leaders have no influence there, otherwise they would not have allowed the approval of such a law concerning the legalization of gambling.

As civilization advances, people are now realizing that religion shouldn’t interfere with peoples social lives. Let it be a choice of individuals to gamble or not. Let religion not dictate for every citizen on what to do and what not to do with their lives. Country have their laws, let that law govern every citizen of that country. At the end government need money to run the country, and if they have identified areas where they can generate money and have decided to legalize it, it is a good move.

It is good that the law prohibits minors and government employees from gambling, but I did not understand what "persons recognized as incompetent" means. This phrase can be interpreted in many ways; the law needs to be more specific.

It might be that they have categories people that are classified as incompetent in their country, which might not be the same in other countries. Every country have their local laws that are peculiar to them.

[bhadz]

However, analysts note the lack of transparency in the licensing process and the practice of forcing "partners" to complete the process.

They're still in the early phase of approval, and it's easy to say that they have this kind of rule. Applying for a license of course have to complete the process before releasing it.

Furthermore, this is a relatively new type of licensed activity, which could lead to the emergence of addictive gamblers.

But if there are restrictions that are being said which allows specific and capable people to gamble, then it's on the hands of those allowed gamblers on how they're going to control themselves to avoid being addicted.

[Charles-Tim]

Uzbekistan Is a Muslim country. Almost 95% of people living in the country are Muslims. This is the first time I am seeing something like this. I mean a Muslim country legalizing gambling for the whole country and not just for tourists and some places. Although, it is worth knowing that gambling was made legal on July 31, 2026 in the country.

[Tetu100]

It is good that the law prohibits minors and government employees from gambling, but I did not understand what "persons recognized as incompetent" means. This phrase can be interpreted in many ways; the law needs to be more specific.

I think they are referring to the set of persons that are some how disable physically in one way or the other, or probably those that doesn't has any clear source of income. I may be wrong in my speculations but strongly believe it could fall in any of these categories.

Again, i am not in support of this recent development in that country in question as it can fuel addiction problem among young people and probably make them start seeing gamble as a source of income. Well, it depends on the individual mindset, but even as that the idea is highly risky.