Uzbekistan has legalized gambling.

[tsaroz]

Uzbekistan realized that banning gambling won't stop people from gambling but would only put them on greater risks. Legalizing gambling not only would make it safer for the people to gamble, it would also boost revenue of the nation. They can enforce restrictions and rules to regulate gambling and gambling behaviors but they also need to make sure they don't overcharge taxes on gambling and wins, as overtaxing would make people again look for other ways to gamble with better experience and odds.

[bitLeap]

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.

Welcome to secular Islam   Do not be surprised even more famous Muslim countries have legal casinos and legal gambling,,, but supposedly to cater for non-Muslims though you will find plenty of Muslims, I can personally attest to it :

Malaysia, casino.
Turkey, no casino but I think a lot of betting sites.

If I'm not mistaken, there is a country in the Middle East, namely the United Arab Emirates which has a licensed gambling site, then there is Lebanon which has been operating for a long time. No wonder when the gambling sector can reap profits then the government can violate whatever it wants, without thinking about the impact.

[Yablee0]

This is not new, Uzbekistan legalized online gambling and sports betting on 1 January 2025, following a presidential decree signed on 19 April 2024.
I believe a lot of people have known this a long time ago, however bringing it or creating a thread about it should be to ask why they decided to legalize gambling after years of making gambling illegal.
The reasons why they decide to legalize gambling is because they noticed that there citizens are still gambling, even though it was illegal in Uzbekistan, and casinos were benefiting from the citizens and then the government were not benefiting from the casinos company so they decided to legalize it and by doing so they will also protect their citizens from scam casinos and also profit from it because for casinos to operate over their the government most give them license and the casinos will pay for it and pay tax monthly.

If that is the case then I see no big deal there. Since legalizing it will only create more advantage by making provision for a more saver ground for the citizens of the country in question and will also help in eradicating some shady gambling platforms that aren't genuine but just there to scam players of their hard earned money. Furthermore, there is one thing I noticed lately is that, whether a country legalizes gamble or not, gambling activities will still be going on smoothly.

However, this things have been going on for years and we can't stop them. So for this reason, legalizing it by the government was a smart decision that can help them set up a standard system that will help in monitoring all gambling activities going on in the country. Maybe, if by chance there are still cases of addiction after this implementation,  then it could be the lapses of the players. Because the government will only do their part by setting rules or measures and it's left for every individual to control him or herself to stay safe.

[bakasabo]

Personally, I think it makes perfect sense for Uzbekistan to legalize gambling. After all, banning gambling doesn't mean people will stop placing bets or playing at online casinos.

In my opinion, the real question isn't whether gambling is legal, but how effectively it's going to be regulated. As for restrictions on certain groups of people, I think the idea itself makes perfect sense. But what's much more important is how all of this will work in practice. After all, simply putting restrictions into law isn't enough.

"If you can't defeat them, lead them." Government failed to solve gambling problem by banning, then leading and making everything legal is a right decision. Better have gambling legalized than have shady market in country. Much better if funds from gambling stay in own country than go abroad. If country have transparent laws, authorities took experience of other developed countries in gambling related question, government is ready to monitor that casino follow rules (not just sell licenses), then is it bad if another business industry appears in country ?

[r_victory]

It's surprising that Uzbekistan has legalized gambling. Even though it's fought against as something harmful, the revenue that casinos and licenses generate is attractive to many governments. I still believe that regulation is the best way forward; prohibition only generates illegality. Of course, it has to be done transparently, with clear rules and protection for minors, and there must be incentives for educating the population about the risks involved in gambling.

[Sandra_hakeem]

I'm not that shocked. I already saw some Muslim majority countries treat gambling more like a government / tax thing than a total ban forever. Once they need budget, religion goes to the side.
This is really difficult to discuss if you want to include gambling + religion.

I am not also surprised, but just that this is the first time I saw news that a Muslim country legalized gambling fully. There are some Muslim countries like Turkey and Lebanon that gambling is legal. Also there was a time we discussed about UAE that gambling is legal to some extent in the country. There are some Muslim countries that gambling is legal in one way or the other.

Traditional Islamic laws aka sharia law forbids any form of gambling, but it seems like some don't really give a shit like you both have said and I don't know what to believe; if they defile their own religion by doing the exact opposite of what the ancient laws have forbade, does it make their entire practices of the truth? We're not ready for that discussion. It was Morocco, then Lebanon followed the same step, Turkey and Kazakhstan can't be left out, now Uzbekistan.

Simply put, humans in general are willing to do anything for more money irrespective of the gender, tribe, religion etc.

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.

I'm more interested in how that's supposed to work. So If I were in Uzbekistan, I'd also have to gamble or, at least, get involved in the process against my will?

[Maslate]

Muslim country legalizing gambling and offering licenses is I think the new norm in this time and date,

Although Uzbekistan is a Muslim country with over 90% of its population being Muslim, its government is independent of religion since it follows a secular system, so its decisions are not necessarily based on religion, otherwise gambling would be banned. They are different from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan where laws are influenced by Islamic teachings, so these countries are unlikely to lift their gambling bans just because Uzbekistan has regulated gambling.

[Pandu Geddon]

Because their government tends to be new in managing gambling. But their preparations must have been carried out for quite a long time. They can see how regulations and ways of managing gambling are from countries that have long legalized gambling. 

The problem of gambling addiction will be very serious in the future, therefore the government's system must strictly oversee the implementation of these regulations on licensed casinos. Likewise, there should be supervision over the possibility of illegal casinos operating and being accessed by their citizens.

[qurbanshah02]

The problem of gambling addiction will be very serious in the future, therefore the government's system must strictly oversee the implementation of these regulations on licensed casinos. Likewise, there should be supervision over the possibility of illegal casinos operating and being accessed by their citizens.

That is why gambling is banned in many places and no one considers it good because people get addicted to it very quickly and invest their money, they take losses to make money. If you have enough money, then they want to gamble for some time for fun, then a small amount is enough, if you play with more tricks, then the maximum money for you is also less. However, then your goal will not be fun but profit and that is why people go into gambling wherever they get money and earn profit from there. Now gradually gambling will be legal everywhere by making licenses because this will give people a chance to believe in casinos, but the digital casinos will continue to operate with such fraud.

[Zlantann]

Because their government tends to be new in managing gambling. But their preparations must have been carried out for quite a long time. They can see how regulations and ways of managing gambling are from countries that have long legalized gambling. 

The problem of gambling addiction will be very serious in the future, therefore the government's system must strictly oversee the implementation of these regulations on licensed casinos. Likewise, there should be supervision over the possibility of illegal casinos operating and being accessed by their citizens.

Great that they are having some restrictions to avoid exposing vulnerable people to gambling. The 21-year gambling age is also commendable. But there are some harsh restrictions that don't go well with me. Forcing gambling payments to go through a state-run accounting system is not right. It shows that the state is still tightly controlling the sector.

The government of Uzbekistan legalised online gambling in January 2025, and the first licence was issued in July 2026. You are right that the industry is new to the country. So the government needs to be cautious. Maybe this harsh policy might change in the future, and more licences would be given to other gambling platforms.

[knowngunman]

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.

Yes, they are majorly Muslim but it's not an Islamic state and they are not using Islamic law. Religious leaders can not have a say on government decisions because it's government that control religion there like any other country where their constitution is self made and not Sharia. Islam forbids gambling but government is looking from economic aspects.

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.

Prohibiting is one thing but how to detect their involvement is another. Minors are prohibited from gambling everywhere but they still in it undetected.

Person recognised as incompetent may mean someone not financially stable to gamble? 

[lovesmayfamilis]

Another interesting point is that while casinos are becoming legalized, cryptocurrencies in the country have almost the same ban as in Russia. It seems that there is no full permission to gamble with cryptocurrency here, as a lot of crypto exchanges are simply blocked in the country, and citizens can only buy cryptocurrency on two exchanges, also approved by their regulator.🤷‍♀️

[Rruchi man]

Muslim country legalizing gambling and offering licenses is I think the new norm in this time and date,

Although Uzbekistan is a Muslim country with over 90% of its population being Muslim, its government is independent of religion since it follows a secular system, so its decisions are not necessarily based on religion, otherwise gambling would be banned.

A little correction: Uzbekistan is not a Muslim country; it just has most of its citizens as Muslims. Uzbekistan is a secular state with a secular system of government.

The new development creates a new temptation for the overwhelming Muslim population in Uzbekistan because with gambling legalized, it becomes a bigger challenge trying to avoid gambling that is prohibited by the religion practiced.

I doubt that it will just be the 10% of people who are in other religions that allow gambling that will be gambling.

[uneng]

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.

That is when the lobby between regulators and businessmen take place. There isn't a free market where every entrepreneurs can compete by following the same rules and having access to the same opportunities. The excuse is to protect the citizens, but after all, such regulations are just used to make citizens hostages of a few services providers allowed by the government to operate inside the territory.

As far as I remember, Bitcoin and crypto industry took place to break such monopolies and oligarchies. But hardly ever we hear about it these days.

[L E G E N D A R Y]

Another interesting point is that while casinos are becoming legalized, cryptocurrencies in the country have almost the same ban as in Russia. It seems that there is no full permission to gamble with cryptocurrency here, as a lot of crypto exchanges are simply blocked in the country, and citizens can only buy cryptocurrency on two exchanges, also approved by their regulator.🤷‍♀️

Well I guess that shows that a country can actually treat gambling and cryptocurrency as two different things (because in reality, they are) rather than simply regulating them both as one thing. Before now, it was just gambling and the traditional method of payment, and there came crypto being incorporated into the casino, making it look like it’s one thing, and even though they’ve both been quite a powerful duo and have made the gaming and crypto industry gained more exposure, they are still different activities. So even if a casino is allowed to legally operate, that still doesn’t give them the express freedom to accept crypto payments. What’s more important here is understanding the rules around the both of them, because simply being able to buy crypto from an approved exchanges doesn’t automatically imply every way of using it is also approved.

[sompitonov]

That is when the lobby between regulators and businessmen take place. There isn't a free market where every entrepreneurs can compete by following the same rules and having access to the same opportunities. The excuse is to protect the citizens, but after all, such regulations are just used to make citizens hostages of a few services providers allowed by the government to operate inside the territory.

As far as I remember, Bitcoin and crypto industry took place to break such monopolies and oligarchies. But hardly ever we hear about it these days.

Today, just as in the past, things can be presented in whatever way suits someone’s agenda. Take crypto and Bitcoin, for instance: they were touted for their decentralization and similar ideals, yet everything is trending toward centralization. Every day, I see exchanges and other such platforms ceasing to serve users from certain countries. The same applies to the gambling industry; almost all operators entered the space simply to get rich, not to pursue some lofty vision. It’s pointless to expect anything more from them we live in a capitalist world, where money, and how to make it, is what matters most.

[Agbe]

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.

You Don't expect a child to gamble, as it's will be seen as an abuse because children don't have the mental capacity to face the presure that always comes when it involves gambling. This is the reason children are not permitted to gambling, exposing a child to gambing activities is criminal. But where I have problem with these ristrictions is the special categories that are mention including certain leavls of civil servant's.  I don't know who these special categories of people are but , I would have liked for these special categories of people to be mention because, I feel that as far as you are above eighteen years and above and such a person is morally and even Religiously good to gamble then such a one should be allowed to gamble.

[Pandu Geddon]

The problem of gambling addiction will be very serious in the future, therefore the government's system must strictly oversee the implementation of these regulations on licensed casinos. Likewise, there should be supervision over the possibility of illegal casinos operating and being accessed by their citizens.

That is why gambling is banned in many places and no one considers it good because people get addicted to it very quickly and invest their money, they take losses to make money. If you have enough money, then they want to gamble for some time for fun, then a small amount is enough, if you play with more tricks, then the maximum money for you is also less. However, then your goal will not be fun but profit and that is why people go into gambling wherever they get money and earn profit from there. Now gradually gambling will be legal everywhere by making licenses because this will give people a chance to believe in casinos, but the digital casinos will continue to operate with such fraud.

In business, building a reputation is normal, but a casino that cheats is something different. Because there are legal casinos there, why would one try illegal casinos that have the potential to cheat? This is where the important role of the government comes in, which also has to protect the rights of gamblers. The system that is built should be able to monitor and assist gamblers if problems occur with a casino. 
It's just that we know, sometimes there are corrupt officials who can harm gamblers. They collect taxes but do not provide comfort or protection for their rights.

[xenomorfo]

Because their government tends to be new in managing gambling. But their preparations must have been carried out for quite a long time. They can see how regulations and ways of managing gambling are from countries that have long legalized gambling. 

The problem of gambling addiction will be very serious in the future, therefore the government's system must strictly oversee the implementation of these regulations on licensed casinos. Likewise, there should be supervision over the possibility of illegal casinos operating and being accessed by their citizens.

I'm sorry to be the disillusioned person who perhaps has his feet on the ground, I don't want to say that I believe in conspiracies but I want to say that the government certainly gave in because it has something to gain from it otherwise it would never have done so.
I don't trust governments.

[letteredhub]

Snip~

I think these countries who recently legalized gambling are only trying to ease off of these restrictions that actually makes them look third world countries, because gambling has it's economic benefits which the government could also tap into in terms of revenue generation and job creation. But while considering these other parts it also very important to consider regulations in terms of age limits and laws that guarantees user's protection that are related to the hazards that are attached to gambling addictions and the psychological effects too.