Best Betting Sites in Kazakhstan

Sports Betting Regulation in Kazakhstan

Fortunately, based on the current gambling law, sports betting is legal in Kazakhstan. However, this legal status is subject to particular regulations, with the Ministry of Culture and Sports overseeing all gambling activities, which include sports betting, online casinos, and others. For any betting operator to provide gambling opportunities locally, they need a license.

The gambling market in Kazakhstan comes with certain restrictions that might be important to note as you plan to start your betting journey in the country. Some of these restrictions include:

Geographical Restrictions:

• If you want to play casino games, you should keep in mind that casinos and slot machines are only permitted in two economic zones, namely the Kapchagay and Schuchinsk regions.
• On the other hand, bookmakers in Kazakhstan are allowed to operate in various parts of the country.

Betting Style Restriction:

• An online betting site in the country will most likely offer pool-style betting on a limited number of events.
• You should understand that betting services are not permitted to offer regular single-event betting in Kazakhstan.

Outside these restrictions, it is essential to understand the regulations within the Kazakhstan betting market. To help you learn more, we've broken down the regulations, starting with the gambling laws and another essential aspect of the industry.

The Ministry of Culture and Sports

The Ministry of Culture and Sports regulates and supervises sports, gambling, and culture across the country. This includes licensing and overseeing all gambling activities. The ministry is involved in regulating everything from betting websites to land-based casinos.

THowever, while the Ministry has oversight over the sports betting market within the nation’s borders, it does not issue licenses for gaming platforms. Instead, that task falls on the Committee for Control and Supervision in Public Services under the Ministry of Finance. The following are the responsibilities of the committee.

• Processing and reviewing gambling license applications
• Issuing licenses to qualified applicants
• Inspecting and monitoring licensed gambling activities
• Enforcing regulations and acting swiftly whenever there is a violation

It is good to note that the Committee and the Ministry work closely as a part of a larger government system. However, one can conclude that the former is an enforcer, while the latter is a regulator and overseer.

The 2007 Law on Gambling Business

In 2007, the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Gambling Business was officially enacted, laying the foundation for regulating Kazakhstan's gambling market, covering betting on sports events, playing online casino games, skill-based games, and other gambling activities. Below are some of the key parts of the law:

• Legalising gambling activities in the country
• The law assigns the Ministry of Culture and Sports as the main authority responsible for regulating and overseeing all gambling activities in the country.
• It mandates online and land-based gambling operators to be licensed before they can operate in the country.

When President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed Law No. 409-III in 2007 with amendments for online bookmaker sites, he technically prohibited online gambling operations within his country’s borders. But with the subsequent licensing of Olympus TI (licensing No. 1) and its thriving operation within Kazakhstan’s regulated marketplace today, it appears that lawmakers have at least changed their view on local online sportsbooks.

Licenses, Taxes, Fees, and Charges

Before a land-based or online bookie can operate in the country, they need to obtain a license. Any reputable betting site that wants to provide betting options to players in the country needs to go through the application process with the Committee for Control and Supervision in the Sphere of Public Services of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Before a betting company is permitted locally, they must first meet certain standards before the Ministry will review their license applications. If they pass that first test, then they will be granted a license and be expected to pay a fee to launch operations. They will also have other conditions to meet after receiving their license but before beginning service.

Current Situation and Future Speculations

Currently, Kazakhstan has only one licenced betting site. Olympus is the only gambling site that has obtained a license from the right agency. With the lack of many top betting sites in Kazakhstan, most bettors look to international betting platforms for betting opportunities. However, as gambling gains more popularity, there are talks of reformations and changes to the current gambling legislation.

If these reforms are eventually implemented, players can rest assured that there will be new betting sites receiving licenses, and the betting landscape will be more transparent and regulated, giving the opportunity to access top bookmakers in Kazakhstan.

Most Trusted Betting Sites in Kazakhstan

With limited local options, most bettors in Kazakhstan look to offshore betting sites to place bets on games. And with the current state of the gambling industry, there are many options to consider, which can be tedious, especially if you're a newbie who doesn't understand how the industry works. Not to worry; we understand the pain that comes with looking for the right betting site. As experts, we've taken the time to scour the internet and review a few of the top exciting betting platforms. Check the table above to see some of our most trusted betting sites in Kazakhstan. Pick one, create an account, deposit money, claim the welcome offer, and start your betting venture today.

Key Facts & Stats About Betting in Kazakhstan

• Annual Growth Rate: According to a report from Data Bridge Market Research, it is estimated that Kazakhstan sports markets will most likely hit 9.5% CAGR, with the total revenue expanding by 2030.

• Industry Growth: According to an SBC report, the gambling industry has shown impressive growth over the years. Between 2020 and 2022, the industry's turnover reached $1.24 billion.

• Betting Frequency: Following an NIH publication, the research should show that only a handful of the betting population bet regularly. About 78% of the population are casual bettors.

• Monthly Spending: Due to a lack of data from trustworthy sources, it is hard to estimate the monthly average spending in Kazakhstan. But based on speculations, an average bettor in the country spends between $30 - $80 monthly.

• Purpose of Betting: About 60-75% of the bettors in the country bet for entertainment purposes, according to speculative reports and a Central Asia Pacific research report from Data Bridge Market Research.

• Popular Sports: Undoubtedly, football is the most popular sport to bet on in Kazakhstan. About 80% of the betting population is speculated to bet on this sport. Other popular sports include boxing, basketball, and ice hockey.

Popular Payment Methods for Kazakh Betting Sites

For those who want to play at Kazakh betting sites, finding the right payment method is essential to your betting experience. There are a few popular options that many bettors use to complete transactions at their preferred betting platform. We've explained some of these popular payment methods below. Keep reading to learn more.

E-Wallets

There are many e-wallet services you can consider if you want to use a proper payment option that allows you to deposit and withdraw money without stress. There are different e-wallet payment methods that Kazakhstanis can use to complete transactions at various betting sites and mobile apps. Below are some popular e-wallet services you can explore.

• Skrill: This payment service has continued to provide players with easy access to complete transactions. With Skrill, you can even enjoy certain exclusive bonuses you can use to place prop bets, play live dealer games, or try your luck with live betting.

• PayPal: Another popular option you can explore is PayPal. This option lets players explore betting opportunities without stress. The e-wallet service is easy to use. Once you have an account, you can start using it without hassle to deposit and withdraw money.

• WebMoney: This payment method is also popular among bookmakers in Kazakhstan. You can take your time to find top-notch WebMoney betting sites to explore and start your next betting journey with this easy-to-use e-wallet payment service.

Cryptocurrencies

Just like with many countries, cryptocurrencies are legal in Kazakhstan. Citizens can buy, sell, trade, and exchange cryptocurrencies without stress. Different services allow people to use the technology to complete transactions online. As a result, it has become a popular payment option at online betting sites in the country. Below are some crypto options you can use at Kazakhstan best betting sites.

• Stablecoins: If you don't have the mind for the ups and downs of the crypto market, you might want to consider stablecoins. These cryptocurrencies are pegged to fiat currencies. Therefore, their value doesn't fluctuate like altcoins and Bitcoin, making them a suitable option to consider.

• Exchanges: You should also consider exchanges if you don't want to go through the stress of learning the technical parts of using cryptocurrencies. Using exchanges is very similar to using e-wallet services. You can complete transactions easily, even if you're a newbie.

• Altcoins: If you're a fan of cryptocurrencies and understand how the market works, you can always consider altcoins. These tokens have different projects and values. We recommend that you learn more about the token and its projects before picking the one you want to use.

Bank-Based Methods

Players can also use bank-based methods if they want a less stressful option. With these payment methods, you can get the transaction done once you connect to your online banking account. There are different bank-based methods you can use to complete these transactions. We've highlighted some of the popular options below.

• Bank Transfers: This is the most popular bank-based method you can use. With this option, you can transfer from your bank account. But you should keep in mind that some betting platforms only let you use bank transfers for withdrawals. So, you might need another option to deposit.

• Trustly: This payment method is popular in Europe. Many betting sites let you use it to complete transactions as you try your luck to gather enough gambling winnings. You can check it out for your next betting journey.

• Klarna: This option is another popular method in Europe. So, it is especially good if you're planning to play at an international betting site. That way, you can easily get started at a European betting site and fund your account without stress. Note that that Klarna only works as a deposit method.

Credit/Debit Card Options

It is also possible to use your bank-issued debit and credit cards to complete transactions. Most betting sites in the country allow players to complete transactions without stress using their bank card. There are different options you can consider. We've mentioned a few popular options you can consider below. Check them out before proceeding.

• Mastercard: Without a doubt, Mastercard is a sports betting and online casinos popular payment option. Most gambling platforms let players use this option to deposit money into their accounts. So, you can take advantage of the option and start betting with real money.

• Visa: Similar to Mastercard, Visa is another popular banking method. You can use the Visa debit or credit card to complete transactions at many betting platforms, including mobile betting options. So, if you have a Visa, you don't have any issues getting started with your betting journey.

• Maestro: You can also use Maestro to complete transactions. You should know that this payment method is another good one you can consider. Although, in most cases, you can't withdraw with this option, it is suitable for fast and secure deposits.

Most Popular Sports to Bet on in Kazakhstan

• Football (Soccer): Like many countries, Football is extremely popular in Kazakhstan. Most punters place bets on various football events, including local and international leagues and cup competitions. From speculative data, it is estimated that about 80% of Kazakhstan's betting population bets on football events.

• Boxing: Boxing has a deep-rooted history in the country. Many people in the country follow boxing events both locally and internationally. Many punters focus on betting on boxing events. According to various speculations, about 10-15% of the betting population bet on boxing matches in Kazakhstan.

• Basketball: Basketball is gaining massive popularity among the younger generation. Most punters in the younger demographic follow the NBA and other leagues. It continues to grow in the country and take up more of the betting market share in Kazakhstan's sports betting industry.

Conclusion

Kazakhstan has an open market when it comes to betting. Although there are a few restrictions, players still have liberty in more ways than one. Despite only having one locally licensed online gambling platform, bettors in the country take advantage of the vast number of top bookmakers that accept players from Kazakhstan. All you need to do to get started is to find a suitable option to join. Once you do that, you can start your journey and enjoy the goodies that come with playing online. You can check out our list of recommended Kazakhstan betting sites and pick a suitable option to kickstart your next betting adventure.