Kyrgyzstan’s Casino Legalization Delivers Economic Gains, President Japarov Says

President Sadyr Japarov has defended Kyrgyzstan’s decision to legalize casinos for foreign passport holders, arguing that the move has generated substantial economic benefits since the country reopened the industry in 2022.

Speaking to the Russian-language media outlet Gazeta, Japarov said the policy had already demonstrated clear financial advantages for the country and insisted there was “nothing reprehensible” about the government’s decision to revive the casino sector.

“As far as the state is concerned, there is nothing reprehensible about our decision to enact the law,” Japarov said. “This decision wasn’t made to further anyone’s personal interests. And time has proven us right.”

The president explained that the government initially faced criticism and public concern when lawmakers approved the legislation. Many feared that reopening casinos would encourage gambling addiction among Kyrgyz citizens and lead to financial hardship for local families.

“When it was passed, there were concerns that Kyrgyz citizens would start visiting casinos, which would lead to ruined lives,” Japarov stated. “However, [since the first casinos opened], we have not seen a single case of a Kyrgyz citizen visiting a casino.”

Under the current legislation, casinos in Kyrgyzstan are only permitted to serve foreign visitors, while Kyrgyz citizens and foreign nationals under the age of 21 are prohibited from entering gaming establishments.

Japarov emphasized that the restrictions have allowed the country to benefit economically without exposing its own citizens to gambling-related losses. According to the president, casinos are now contributing to state finances through taxes and tourism revenue while simultaneously creating new employment opportunities.

Japarov noted that when the government drafted the legalization law in 2022, officials specifically targeted affluent tourists and wealthy residents from neighboring countries as potential customers.

“Rich foreigners are leaving their wealth in Kyrgyzstan, and jobs are being created for our citizens,” the president said. “Thousands of our Kyrgyz citizens, who previously worked in countries like Cyprus, are returning to work in their homeland.”

Kyrgyzstan had previously banned casinos in 2012, while bookmakers and betting shops were ordered to shut down three years later in 2015. Authorities at the time justified the restrictions by citing widespread complaints from families of gamblers who had allegedly lost their homes, property, and savings.

However, the 2022 legislation effectively reversed the decade-old casino prohibition, although the government maintained strict access limitations aimed at preventing local participation.

“Casinos generate revenue for the budget, while our citizens suffer no losses,” Japarov said.

“That’s the key result. We have achieved a balance. The millions our wealthy citizens once lost abroad are now offset by the money foreign visitors lose in Kyrgyzstan.”

The president further argued that gambling losses incurred by foreign tourists ultimately strengthen the domestic economy by supporting tourism and related industries.

“The money returns to the country through tourism,” Japarov concluded. “And that was our main goal in drafting this law.”

Despite the government’s confidence in the policy, illegal online gambling operations continue to pose challenges within Kyrgyzstan. Earlier this year, operators promoting unauthorized online casinos reportedly hijacked the former website of a state-owned trading company that had previously been managed by the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers.

The website was allegedly repurposed to redirect users to the Olymp Casino betting platform, which offered sports betting and slot machine games. The platform also reportedly allowed customers to place wagers using Kyrgyzstan’s national currency.

By fLEXI tEAM