In line with the national gambling regulation plan set to launch on October 9, 2025, Uzbekistan has taken the lead by passing a series of criminal sanctions against unlicensed gambling activities, marking a crucial step towards establishing a compliant gambling market.
The revised Criminal Code explicitly states that local or international platforms providing gambling services to Uzbek players without a license will be considered illegal, and may be subject to hefty fines or criminal penalties. Unlicensed foreign gambling companies could face fines of 25,000 Basic Calculation Units (BRV), approximately 750,000 euros. More severe violators will face sanctions such as confiscation of illegal income and cutting off financial and internet access.
Moreover, illegal casinos, betting stations, and mobile gambling points are also within the scope of penalties; if a business violates anti-money laundering regulations or misuses user data, it could face fines up to 15,000 BRV (450,000 euros), and unauthorized betting or deposit receiving activities could be fined up to 300,000 euros.
Since the complete ban on gambling activities in 2007 (except for state-run lotteries), the gambling industry in Uzbekistan has largely operated underground. The new policy aims to bring these gray market transactions into a regulated framework, enhancing transparency, strengthening anti-money laundering supervision, and providing new sources of fiscal revenue for the country.
Currently, Uzbekistan has not yet established an independent gambling regulatory authority; during the transition period, the National Agency for Project Management (NAPP) will be responsible for licensing and enforcement. The government also plans to launch a unified regulatory platform, the National Unified Betting and Player Registration System (USRBP), which will record all user bets, winnings, and account data, and implement monthly betting limits.
According to the new regulations, non-lottery gambling operators applying for a license must have a minimum registered capital of 56.25 billion Uzbekistani som (approximately 3.9 million euros), while the threshold for lottery operators is 1.4 million euros. Additionally, the former must provide a reserve fund of 1.75 million euros, and the latter 945,000 euros. Specific information about the application process and timetable is expected to be announced soon.
This reform marks the beginning of a new phase for the Uzbek gambling market, entering a period of comprehensive regulation and strict access.
