Kazakhstan has recently implemented new measures aimed at regulating and monitoring gambling activities within the country. The government has introduced reporting duties for gambling operators, requiring them to submit profiles and activity reports on Kazakhstan players to the tax authorities.
The Kazakhstan Parliament has approved the addition of new reporting duties to the national Tax Code, placing the responsibility on gambling operators to provide detailed reports and profiles on Kazakhstan players. This move aims to promote transparency and ensure that the government has access to accurate information about the size of bets, losses, and winnings.
To comply with these reporting duties, betting operators will need to integrate both hardware and software from the national tax agency. This integration will enable the automatic reporting of data on the size of bets, losses, and winnings. Additionally, banks will be required to provide data on transactions within a 10-day period, including transfers and the authorization of transactions with gambling operators.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports in Kazakhstan has also announced plans to tighten rules for access to gambling. One of the proposed changes is an increase in the minimum age for gambling from 21 to 25. This adjustment aims to address gambling addiction among young people and protect individuals from financial debt resulting from excessive gambling.
To enforce the new age restriction, the ministry plans to introduce new administrative duties to monitor the age of customers in gambling venues. The police will also be required to present policies for handling venues that serve underage customers. These measures are designed to ensure that gambling establishments comply with the regulations and do not contribute to the gambling addiction problem among the youth.
Furthermore, the ministry intends to restrict access to gambling for individuals who have overdue loans or other financial obligations. This additional measure aims to protect vulnerable individuals from further financial strain and potential gambling-related problems.
Kazakhstan currently lacks a specific legislative framework for gambling at the national level. However, the provinces of Almaty and Akmola have been granted permission to host state-owned casinos in authorized areas. The government’s decision to implement reporting duties for gambling operators and tighten rules for access to gambling demonstrates a commitment to regulating and monitoring the industry.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has emphasized the importance of consumer protection in the gambling sector. These new measures are part of a broader effort to ensure fair play, responsible gambling, and the prevention of gambling-related problems in Kazakhstan.
