Uzbekistan gambling regulation entered a new phase with a presidential decree effective January 1, 2025, introducing a formal licensing regime for online gambling and lotteries under the supervision of the National Agency of Perspective Projects (NAPP). The market is legally open on paper, but remains early-stage, with no licenses issued as of late September 2025.
Key Insights
The regulatory scope is narrow and focused on remote products. Licenses are provided for an Uzbekistan online casino license, an Uzbekistan sports betting license, and lottery operations, each issued for a five-year term. The framework positions NAPP as the single regulator responsible for licensing and oversight.
Entry barriers are exceptionally high for B2C operators. Online casino and sports betting applicants must meet substantial capitalization and guarantee thresholds, alongside a relatively modest license issuance and renewal fee. Lottery licensing requirements are lower but still material, with an additional approval fee tied to planned turnover. Gambling taxation is set at 4% of GGR, but the financial burden is driven primarily by upfront capital and security requirements.
Advertising is permitted only for licensed operators and must be restricted to audiences aged 18+. Content cannot present gambling as a solution to financial problems, imply guaranteed success, or rely on celebrity endorsements. Placement is prohibited near schools and in channels likely to reach minors, and online campaigns must include technical age-filtering measures.
Payments infrastructure suggests readiness for consumer-facing online products. Uzbekistan e-commerce payments gambling are dominated by debit and prepaid cards, with bank transfers and e-wallets also widely used. Key local systems include Uzcard, Humo, Pay Way, Oson, and Click, indicating multiple pathways for regulated transaction flows once licensing begins in practice.
Entry barriers are exceptionally high for B2C operators. Online casino and sports betting applicants must meet substantial capitalization and guarantee thresholds, alongside a relatively modest license issuance and renewal fee. Lottery licensing requirements are lower but still material, with an additional approval fee tied to planned turnover. Gambling taxation is set at 4% of GGR, but the financial burden is driven primarily by upfront capital and security requirements.
Advertising is permitted only for licensed operators and must be restricted to audiences aged 18+. Content cannot present gambling as a solution to financial problems, imply guaranteed success, or rely on celebrity endorsements. Placement is prohibited near schools and in channels likely to reach minors, and online campaigns must include technical age-filtering measures.
Payments infrastructure suggests readiness for consumer-facing online products. Uzbekistan e-commerce payments gambling are dominated by debit and prepaid cards, with bank transfers and e-wallets also widely used. Key local systems include Uzcard, Humo, Pay Way, Oson, and Click, indicating multiple pathways for regulated transaction flows once licensing begins in practice.
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