Uzbekistan is one of the Central Asian nations and it is a completely a landlocked country. Russian is the official language and has a long history with gambling laws. In the present day and age, the position of the nation towards Uzbekistan bookmakers and sports betting shifts as well. The goal of this article is to cover the legal aspects of gambling in Uzbekistan including major regulatory authorities, licensing process along with taxes, species of allowed and restricted types of bets.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
History of Gambling Laws in Uzbekistan
The journey of gambling legislation in Uzbekistan is marked by significant milestones:
- 2007: For instance, the gambling in all its forms, including lotteries and totalizers in the form of games with prizes, was prohibited the former President Islam Karimov signed an executive order to this effect.
- December 2019: Making betting shops legal, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree regarding the legalization of betting shops however, the decision was changed in April 2022.
- April 2023: In this regard, the President sought the creation of the legal structures of betting activities and appointed NAPP as the competent authority.
- January 1, 2025: From this date betting and online gambling were legalized through the new decree signed by President Mirziyoyev.
Regulatory Agencies
The primary regulating authority for gambling operations within the territory of Uzbekistan is NAPP or the National Agency of Perspective Projects. NAPP is responsible for:
- Reporting the marketing events in relation to gambling.
- To regulate the gambling segment to the maximum, licenses to organize lotteries, Internet games, and bookmaking are issued.
- Compliance with legal requirements in the area of combating money m / laundering and other related economic crimes.
Licensing and Fees of Uzbekistan Bookmakers
Licensing process and charges play an important role in the legal regulation of gambling. Here’s what you need to know:
- Licensing Authority: National Agency of Perspective Projects (NAPP), Canada.
- Types of Licenses: There is no specific license, but certain permission is needed if one wants to organize a lottery, Internet games, and/or bookmaking.
- Eligibility: Licensing of gambling activities also covers gambling by residents and non residents equally, provided they are 18 years and above.
- Fees: Particular charges that will be charged in order to acquire the licenses have not been explained fully but it has been anticipated that these will be explained fully by NAPP once it is closer to the time for implementation of the licenses.
Taxes on Gambling Activities
A clear tax regime has been established for gambling activities starting from January 1, 2025:
- Tax Rate: In gambling activities, any companies or people arranging such events will be charged at 4% of their income after paid prizes and/or stated stakes have been drawn.
- Income Tax Exemptions: People will not be subjected to income tax on lots gotten from licensed lotteries, online games, and bookmaking bets.
Prohibited and Allowed Bets
The new decree outlines the types of bets that are allowed and prohibited:
- Allowed Bets: Lotteries, Internet games and sports betting and other forms of games are legal if they are licensed.
- Prohibited Bets: As for the particular prohibited betting that has not been described yet but is expected to form part of the act, then it will most probably point to unlawful and unregulated activities in betting.
Uzbekistan Sports Betting
Betting on sports is one of the most rapidly growing components of the relatively newly liberalized gambling. Here’s a detailed look:
- Legalization: Legalization of sports betting will be applicable beginning from the 1 st of January in the year 2025.
- Regulations: All the activities aimed at sports betting will be conducted under the supervision of NAPP to control the adhesion to national legislations and the principles of fair play.
- Participation: The law will permit all persons over the age of 18 within and outside the residents to engage in the sporting betting activities.
- Taxation: Thus, they will be taxed in a similar manner to all forms of gambling at a rate of 4% of the profi t margin received after the subtraction of the winnings and refunded stakes.
Sporting Milestones
Uzbekistan has a rich history of sporting achievements, which adds to the allure of legalizing sports betting:
- 2007: Non approval of any type of betting, including on sporting disciplines.
- 2011: This is can be said to be a milestone in the Uzbek football as Nasaf clinched the AFC Cup.
- December 2019: First circular to allow betting shops:
- April 2023: Formulation of policies that govern the betting activities with ease.
- January 1, 2025: This is the legitimation of betting and online gambling.
Conclusion
Their legalisation of betting and online gambling is one of the ways through which Uzbekistan is entering a new era. Advanced facilities and infrastructure, stunning geographical landmarks, and the ability to attract the target market, that is millionaires, will allow Uzbekistan to progress in the sphere of gambling and bring considerable revenues into the state’s economy in the near future. The government of Uzbekistan in its effort to maintain a fair competition and equal opportunities for the operators and participants has laid out a strong regulatory measures as well as a clear tax system.
FAQ about Uzbekistan Bookmakers
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