Sports betting is legal in Kyrgyzstan under the Law on Gambling Activities signed by President Sadyr Japarov in June 2022 (1). This legislation marked a significant policy reversal after a decade-long ban that had been in place since 2012, allowing the reintroduction of casinos, betting shops, and other gambling activities with strict regulatory oversight.
The new gambling framework permits bookmaker offices and totalizators, but only when operated within licensed casino establishments in designated zones (2). The government has implemented stringent restrictions, including a prohibition on Kyrgyzstani citizens participating in gambling activities, with services exclusively available to foreign nationals aged 21 and older.
"The legislation bans Kyrgyzstanis, foreign citizens aged under 21 and incapacitated foreign citizens from using gambling establishments."
Licensed gambling operators must obtain proper authorization through the regulatory framework established by the Cabinet of Ministers' Resolution No. 440 from August 2022. The licensing process can take between 1 to 3 months, with operators required to meet specific capital requirements and operate only in government-designated gambling zones. Despite the legalization, online gambling regulations remain underdeveloped, with no comprehensive licensing process established for internet-based sports betting platforms as of 2025.
Source:
https://focusgn.com/gambling-in-kyrgyzstan-bill-to-allow-casinos-in-hotels-passes-triple-reading
https://cis-legislation.com/document.fwx?rgn=143002
Last updated: 15-09-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
