Kazakhstan has approved four new casino zones, tailored exclusively to international tourists. This government initiative aims to drive inbound leisure spending and diversify the country’s regional tourism offerings beyond major urban centres.
According to local reporting, the zones have been designated in strategic areas known for their natural tourist attractions. This includes the Mangistau region on the Caspian Sea coast, the Panfilov district and Lake Alakol shoreline in Zhetysu, the Talgar district in Almaty region, and the Markakol area and Zaisan district in East Kazakhstan.
The government selected these locations to stimulate growth in underdeveloped resort corridors. They intend to encourage a broader geographical spread of tourism throughout Kazakhstan.
Unlike the two existing casino zones at Konayev (Almaty region) and Shchuchinsk-Borovoye (Akmola), where both locals and foreigners may participate, the government legally restricts the new developments to foreign visitors only.
This approach contrasts with recent developments in markets such as Vietnam where policymakers have experimented with loosening restrictions on local players.
Authorities said they will not permit gambling establishments in protected natural reserves, heritage sites, or on land critical to national security.
‘Around 500 jobs per casino’
Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports, Baurzhan Rapikov, highlighted the anticipated economic benefits from these new casino zones.
“The expected economic impact includes around 500 jobs per casino, annual tax revenues of 2-4 billion tenge, and an increase in the number of gambling tourists from the current 100,000 to 200,000.”
Kazakhstan’s tourism sector has recently experienced considerable growth. Reported revenues of approximately 1.25 trillion tenge and investments exceeding $2.6 billion.
Present gambling regulation confines domestic betting to two supervised zones, a model which authorities intend to refine and extend to the new foreign-only sites to attract a global clientele while controlling the activity domestically.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/regulation/kazakhstan-approves-four-new-tourist-only-casino-zones/
