Uzbekistan has revised its online gambling and lottery licensing regulations, aiming to modernize the gambling industry while ensuring strict legal compliance. The new regulations require all participants to play through licensed platforms, which must implement digital identity verification and electronic transaction records.
New Regulation Highlights
- Licensing requirements: All online gambling and lottery activities must be licensed by the National Agency for Project Planning (NAPP), with a license valid for five years. The initial application fee is $1,500, and the renewal fee is $730.
- Participant identity verification: Participant identities are verified against government databases, and minors are prohibited from participating.
- Platform compliance: Operators must operate within the national internet environment, using certified fair and secure software.
Role of NAPP
NAPP is responsible for issuing licenses and overseeing regulation enforcement, ensuring operators comply with the law. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Central Bank, and the Tax Committee collaborate to combat illegal gambling.
Restrictions and Financial Requirements
- Prohibition of physical gambling: Except for designated lottery sales points, casinos and slot machine halls are prohibited.
- Betting restrictions: Betting on local events and youth sports is restricted, except for international events.
- Financial thresholds: Online gambling operators must maintain an authorized capital of $4.4 million and a reserve fund of $2.2 million; lottery operators are required to have a minimum of $1.6 million in authorized capital and $1.2 million in reserve funds.
Bonus Distribution and Anti-Money Laundering
Traditional lotteries must allocate 50% of their revenue to a prize fund, while electronic lotteries allocate 75%. The regulations also prohibit individuals with a history of money laundering from holding management positions in gambling organizations.
The new regulations strengthen supervision and protect participant rights, laying the foundation for the legalization and standardization of the gambling industry in Uzbekistan.
