In 2024, the gambling landscape across post-Soviet countries in Eurasia experienced significant regulatory changes. These developments have reshaped the gambling market in the region, affecting both operators and players.
Ivan Kurochkin, Partner and Head of Consulting Department at 4H Agency, has shared key developments with SBC Eurasia.
Ivan Kurochkin, Partner and Head of Consulting Department at 4H Agency, has shared key developments with SBC Eurasia.
Key Insights
Kazakhstan
Amendments to the Gambling Law introduced a new regulatory body, the Committee for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries. Licensed operators are now mandated to connect to a unified state accounting system, and advertising restrictions have been tightened, including a near-total ban on media promotions.
Ukraine
A comprehensive legislative reform led to the blocking of over 370 illegal gambling websites and the imposition of strict advertising limitations. The reforms also established mandatory registration for B2B operators and introduced a new regulatory authority with enhanced oversight capabilities.
Uzbekistan
Legalization efforts have expanded the market to include licensed betting, lotteries, and online gambling. Operators are required to obtain licenses valid for five years, with servers located within the country. A 4% turnover tax is imposed on operators, while player winnings remain exempt from personal income tax.
Georgia
The separation of online and land-based licenses now allows operators to conduct online gambling without a physical presence. Offshore online licenses have been introduced, enabling operators to target both local and international players, with taxation set at 5% of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR).
Armenia
Reforms have made the market more accessible to international operators by introducing offshore licensing options. Operators are now subject to responsible gambling and anti-money laundering (AML) requirements, including risk-based player assessments and mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) processes.
For a comprehensive overview of the 2024 gambling market in Eurasia and detailed insights into the regulatory updates in post-Soviet countries, read our full article here.
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