Uzbekistan is not the first place that comes to mind when talking about sports betting, but a recent presidential decree authorized the country to allow bookmaker activity as early as 2021. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev hopes legal sportsbooks with help funds the development of sports programs, especially football.
The decree comes at a time when many Uzbek officials have said legalizing sports betting would be a way to raise money.
Since becoming an independent nation, Uzbekistan has never qualified for a World Cup. Last year, the country’s team suffered a devastating loss to North Korea in the qualifiers, 4-2. In the most recent Asia Cup, Uzbekistan had an impressive qualifying round, going 7-0-1, but finished 10th in the tournament, making it to the Round of 16 before being knocked out.
Such disappointing results seem to be at the center of the initiative.
The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar, meaning that the added revenue may not be available in time to make any kind of significant difference for the team. However, government officials are likely set on the 2026 World Cup to be held in North America. They are likely looking to see a more competitive outcome in the 2023 Asia Cup in China, catapulting the team into the World Cup in 2026.
