Tengrinews.kz — Second-tier banks in Kazakhstan have blocked 402,000 payment transactions totaling more than 10 billion tenge linked to gambling. These figures were provided by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov in response to a parliamentary inquiry regarding measures to combat gambling addiction and illegal gambling businesses.
Tengrinews.kz — Second-tier banks in Kazakhstan have blocked 402,000 payment transactions totaling more than 10 billion tenge linked to gambling. These figures were provided by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov in response to a parliamentary inquiry regarding measures to combat gambling addiction and illegal gambling businesses.
Blocks, Criminal Cases, and Detentions
According to Olzhas Bektenov, over a six-month period—from October 2025 to March 2026—second-tier banks blocked 402,000 payment transactions amounting to over 10 billion tenge.
The state has also compiled a list of foreign online casino operators. It includes 110 popular payment providers whose money transfers are now being blocked.
According to the Prime Minister, since the beginning of 2026, law enforcement agencies have initiated 15 criminal cases involving 40 instances of organizing online casinos. Eleven executives and employees of financial organizations have been detained for facilitating the operations of illegal casinos.
A total of 1,144 bank cards used by "droppers" have been blocked. Currently, 10 pre-trial investigations into "dropping" are underway under Article 232-1 of the Criminal Code.
More than 135,000 People Barred from Betting
According to Bektenov, the Unified System for Accounting of Bets and Gambling was launched in Kazakhstan in March 2026. It automatically verifies whether an individual is eligible to participate in gambling and blocks bets from those who are legally prohibited.
The system also monitors online casinos and enforces accountability for failing to connect, mandating the integration of bookmakers with the platform.
The Prime Minister stated that all active betting operators are now connected to the system:
"Between March 27 and June 7, 2026, the system identified approximately 433,000 users. Of these, 135,000 individuals were unable to place bets. The majority—over 116,000 people—were found to be on the unified register of debtors. Another 15,000 had previously self-excluded from gambling, while more than 4,000 were subject to other restrictions".
Scale of Gambling Addiction in Kazakhstan
According to a social study, approximately 500,000 Kazakhstani citizens regularly participate in gambling, with 15,000 potentially suffering from gambling addiction.
In response, state mental health centers began providing counseling services to individuals with pathological gambling urges in March 2025. These consultations remain confidential.
"Citizens seeking consultation are not placed on the clinical watch list. This means they are not deprived of opportunities for employment, education, or obtaining a driver's license," Bektenov added.
The following number of individuals have completed treatment and medical-social rehabilitation at state expense:
- 69 people in 2024;
- 98 people in 2025;
- 13 people in the first quarter of 2026.
Current Restrictions
Bektenov noted that the government has already introduced legislative changes to increase the transparency of the gambling industry and reduce its impact on the population.
Key measures include:
- a ban on bookmaker advertising;
- restricting gambling participation for individuals under 21;
- prohibiting participation for individuals listed in the debtor register;
- a ban for civil servants, military personnel, and individuals convicted of criminal offenses;
- creating a legal framework for the functioning of the Unified System for Accounting of Bets and Gambling.
"The state continues to fight illegal online casinos and betting sites. While over 20,000 internet resources were blocked in 2024, that number rose to 75,000 in 2025. In the first five months of 2026, access was restricted to another 62,000 sites, 34,000 of which were identified by the Unified Accounting System," the statement said.
In conclusion, Olzhas Bektenov noted that the government, in cooperation with members of parliament, will continue to refine measures to combat gambling addiction and illegal gambling operations.