Casinos in Kyrgyzstan

Skip To The List of Casinos

Intro

The number of markets where the situation with gambling legality could be described as chaotic is not small, often leaving players confused about what’s permitted and what’s prohibited. What’s positive is that a growing number of countries are putting efforts to incorporate some order in this branch of entertainment, and Kyrgyzstan is one of them.

Situated in Central Asia, this is one of the world’s least crowded countries with the world’s second-largest high altitude lake-Lake Issyk-Kul. Founded by Genghis Khan in the early 13^th century, Kyrgyzstan is a place where you can enjoy delicious food, give it a try to alcoholic horse milk (not quite tasty, to be honest) and admire the view of majestic mountains.

Like the vast majority of Asian countries, Kyrgyzstan is a country with a limited number of land-based casinos. The only reason for that is the fact that the regulatory system is still in the development phase, so players should check the dedicated page for some (positive) surprises every now and then.

Casino Bishkek, as the name itself hints, is located in the country’s capital and the most populous city, which is widely known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. While the game selection is not even close to what’s found in those colossal resorts of Macau, for example, there’s still more than enough to meet an average gambler’s needs.

History of Gambling in Kyrgyzstan

Up to 2011, gambling was legal in Kyrgyzstan, until it was banned by the parliament with almost no opposition. The decision was made after repeated warnings from politicians who insisted that this activity has become a huge social problem, pointing out that numerous poor people went into debt to fund their gambling addiction.

Although the law was passed for the benefit of the consumers, it caused a lot of dissatisfaction among casino workers who protested against it on the street.

"Deputies, Stop Destroying the Economy", "By Closing Casinos You Will Lose Millions in Taxes" and "Fight Gambling Barons, Not Casino Personnel" were some of the messages that could be seen during the protest.

Opponents of the decision also pointed out that the prohibition of the casinos would have a significant impact on the tax revenue, which represented a notable income source for the local economy. The ban officially took place in 2012, and three years later, slot halls and retail bookmakers were outlawed as well.

A decade later, in 2022, a legislature was presented by the parliament and signed into the law not only to re-legalize land-based gambling but to launch online casinos for the first time as well. According to the bill “On Gambling in the Kyrgyz Republic”, all gambling was made available to foreign consumers.

The law also determines that brick-and-mortar casinos should be established in restaurants or hotel complexes, whereas slot halls need to be in separate rooms or buildings. Casinos in the country’s capital should have at least 10 gaming tables, while those in other cities need to have at least five. Slot halls need to host at least 30 machines.

Laws and Regulations

The acting regulators in the country are The State Service for Regulation and Supervision of Finance (SFMSF) and the State Service for the Regulation and Supervision of Communications (SSSC). The former operates under the Ministry of Economy regulates land-based gambling activities, while the second runs business under the Ministry of Digital Transformation, which specializes in the control and monitoring of online and virtual casinos.

Aside from being in charge of issuing and prolonging the licenses, these institutions are in charge of controlling the licensees' compliance with the local regulations and requirements. These are featured in the Decree “On measures to suppress illegal activities in the organization and conduct of gambling” dated December 23, 2022, as well as in the Law “On the Licensing and Permitting System in the Kyrgyz Republic” from 2013.

Companies interested in establishing a casino in this country should have equipment no older than 2016. No changes should be made to the equipment unless consulted with the regulator. Also, 50% of the staff should be residents of Kyrgyzstan, aged over 23.

Licenses can be issued for the following types of gambling activities- casinos, slot machine halls, bookmaker’s offices, and online and electronic casinos. Lotteries are subject to the state monopoly. Separate licenses are needed to run each of these activities.

When it comes to fees, all types of casinos registered in cities of republican significance need to pay USD 1.1 million, whereas land-based venues and online platforms registered in Osh, Chui, and Jalal-Abad regions need to pay USD 500 thousand. The same amount is in place for those interested in setting up slot halls. The fee for betting shops and sweepstakes is notably lower, amounting to USD 126 thousand.

Documents needed to apply to obtain a license include ownership proof, fee receipt, construction plan, bank certificates, contracts with equipment providers, and a couple more. The average time for the application to be approved is one month, or a bit more if additional documentation is needed.

Popular Games

As in many other parts of the world, slot machines represent the favorite game among players who visit casinos in Kyrgyzstan. Slot machines must also have a return to player (RTP) of at least 75%.

Other than this, Casino Bishkek accommodates quite a solid selection of table games. Visitors can try luck playing all-time favorite classics such as roulette, baccarat, blackjack, poker, Andar Bahar, 3-card flush, 2-card poker, Texas Hold’em, Dragon Tiger, and so on.

Payment Options

Having in mind that foreigners are welcome to visit Casino Bishkek, it’s somehow reasonable to assume that payments in cash and by card are accepted. Casinos and slot halls must also have a currency exchange bureau licensed by the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan, as well as certain security measures in place.

The local currency is called Kyrgyzstani Som and you can obtain it by using ATMs. It’s important to note that the country is predominantly cash-focused.

Currency exchange is available in bigger towns. Widely used currencies such as US dollars, EUR, Chinese Yuan, and British pounds shouldn’t be tricky to convert. Money transfers in Kyrgyzstan can be done via Western Union and other major providers.