Kazakhstan Moves Ahead With Foreign-Only Casino Projects in Mangystau and Almaty Regions

According to reports by Kursiv Media, the initiative has been confirmed by the Committee for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries, which operates under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

The proposed casino zones will be located in two regions. One is the Tepliy Plyazh area in the Mangystau region, while the other will be developed at the Akbulak international tourist center in the Almaty region. Both locations are positioned as tourism-focused destinations rather than urban gambling hubs, a factor officials say is central to the government’s strategy.

Authorities have stressed that the projects will be financed entirely through private investment, with no direct funding from the state budget. The government’s role will be limited to regulation and oversight, ensuring that operations comply with Kazakhstan’s existing gambling laws. A key provision of those laws is the continued prohibition on casino access for Kazakh citizens. Entry to the new venues will be restricted solely to foreign nationals, reinforcing the country’s long-standing policy of limiting domestic exposure to land-based gambling.

Officials argue that the creation of these casino zones is unlikely to lead to an increase in gambling addiction among local residents. They cite both the remote nature of the selected locations and the foreign-only access rules as safeguards that will keep risks to the domestic population low. At the same time, the government expects the developments to support tourism growth by attracting international visitors and encouraging investment in surrounding infrastructure.

The announcement comes amid growing concern over the impact of online gambling in Kazakhstan. Earlier this year, Sapar Rakhmensheyev, head of the Almaty Mental Health Center, warned that online casinos pose the greatest threat to problem gamblers due to their constant availability and ease of access.

These concerns have also reached the legislative level. Senate Deputy Gennady Shipovskikh has proposed banning online casino advertising on social media platforms, comparing such promotions to advertisements for drugs, pornography, and fraudulent “miracle cures.” His proposal reflects increasing pressure on authorities to tighten regulation of the digital gambling sector, even as land-based gambling remains tightly controlled.