Starting January 1, 2025, Uzbekistan is set to allow online gambling, lotteries, and betting activities under new licensing rules approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. The decision, adopted on December 6 and published on December 12, follows an April presidential decree permitting these operations.

Organisers of online games, lotteries, and betting activities will be required to obtain licences issued by the National Agency for Prospective Projects (NAPP). Licences will be valid for five years, with a new licence costing 18.75 million soums (around $1,500). Any changes to a licence will incur a fee of 9.375 million soums ($730).

Operational and financial requirements

Organisers must use domains within Uzbekistan’s national internet segment to provide services. Additionally, online gaming software and random number generation technologies must be certified by authorised bodies and testing laboratories designated by the licensing authority.

The government has introduced minimum financial requirements for organisers:

Online gambling and betting: A minimum authorised capital of 56.25 billion soums ($4.4 million) and a reserve fund of 28.125 billion soums ($2.2 million).

Lotteries: A minimum authorised capital of 20.625 billion soums ($1.6 million) and a reserve fund of 15 billion soums ($1.2 million).
For lottery ticket revenue, at least 50% of income from traditional lotteries and 75% from electronic lotteries must be allocated to prizes.

Rules for player participation

Participation in gambling and lotteries will only be legal if conducted through licensed platforms, with identity verification and transactions carried out electronically. The government will establish a Unified State Register of Bets and Players to manage player records, transaction limits, and restrictions.

Participation will be prohibited for individuals under 18 and for certain other groups, determined based on factors such as age, health, and income sources. A list of individuals banned from gambling, including those with self-reported gambling addiction or court-imposed restrictions, will be maintained.

Restrictions and monitoring

Key prohibitions under the new regulations include:

• Physical gambling venues, such as casinos or slot machine halls, except for lottery ticket sales points.

• Betting on local events or youth sports, with exceptions for international competitions.
• Payments for gambling made from bank accounts or cards belonging to minors.

The NAPP will oversee compliance with the regulations, including monitoring foreign entities offering gambling services to Uzbek residents. Non-compliant foreign entities may face fines, with 50% of the penalties allocated to NAPP. Organisers must also comply with ownership regulations, which prohibit individuals linked to financial crimes or previous regulatory violations from holding leadership positions.

Implementation by 2025

By 1 January 2025, the NAPP must finalise all regulatory documents and establish mechanisms for licensing, monitoring, and managing gambling operations. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Central Bank, and Tax Committee will work together to prevent illegal gambling and ensure compliance with the new regulations.

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