Uzbekistan Yet to Issue Licenses for Online Gambling

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — As of March 2026, Uzbekistan has not issued licenses for organizing lotteries, online games with risk elements, or bookmakers, authorities confirmed. The announcement was made on March 18 by Askarjon Zakirov, head of the crypto-asset development department at the National Agency for Prospective Projects (NAPC).

Zakirov noted that while companies have submitted applications, no official licenses have yet been granted. The delay is intended to prevent fraudulent activity and to protect socially vulnerable groups from participating in gambling.

To regulate the industry, a Unified State Registry of Bets and Players is being prepared and is in the final stages before launch. “The system is ready, and work is ongoing to put it into operation,” Zakirov said. He added that companies are interested in licensing but require time to prepare documents and comply with all requirements.

The legalization of gambling and betting in Uzbekistan was approved by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in April 2024, citing the ineffectiveness of previous bans, which contributed to currency outflow, gambling addiction, and fraud.

In December 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers established requirements for organizers, including minimum charter capital, a reserve fund, player registration procedures, and other conditions. Licenses are valid for up to five years and are issued by NAPC at a cost of 500 base calculation units (206 million sum), with amendments costing 250 units (103 million sum).

In January 2025, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis passed a law regulating licensing for bookmakers and gambling, including restrictions on participation for certain citizen categories. By July, NAPC approved the rules for maintaining the Unified State Registry of Bets and Players and identified individuals prohibited from gambling.

Regulators have also established fines for legal entities violating gambling and betting regulations. Half of the fines are directed to the state budget, with the remainder credited to NAPC’s accounts in commercial banks.