The Cabinet of Ministers in Uzbekistan has finalized the licensing criteria for online gambling, lotteries, and betting.
This move, confirmed on December 6 and made public on December 12, enforces a presidential decree from April, allowing online gambling and betting to commence on January 1, 2025.
According to the new regulations, operators of online games, lotteries, and betting must secure licenses from the National Agency for Prospective Projects (NAPP). These licenses are valid for five years, with a new license costing 18.75 million soums (equal to approximately $1500). Modifications to licenses will incur a fee of 9.375 million soums (equal to $730).
Service providers must operate using domains within Uzbekistan’s national internet segment. Furthermore, online gaming software and random number generation systems must be certified by authorized agencies and testing laboratories appointed by the licensing authority.
The government has established minimum financial requirements for organizers in the online gambling, betting, and lottery sectors. For online gambling and betting, organizers must have a minimum authorized capital of 56.25 billion soums ($4.4 million) and a reserve fund of 28.125 billion soums ($2.2 million). For lotteries, the minimum authorized capital is set at 20.625 billion soums ($1.6 million), with a reserve fund of 15 billion soums ($1.2 million). Additionally, revenue from lottery ticket sales must allocate at least 50% of income to prizes for traditional lotteries, and 75% for electronic lotteries.
Gambling and lottery participation is legal only when conducted on licensed platforms, where players undergo electronic identity verification and transactions are processed digitally. Uzbekistan’s government will maintain a Unified State Register of Bets and Players to manage player data, set restrictions, and impose transaction limits. Participation is prohibited for individuals under 18, as well as other groups determined by factors like age, health, and income sources. A registry of individuals excluded from gambling will be kept, including those with self-acknowledged gambling addictions or those subject to court-ordered bans.
NAPP must finalize regulatory frameworks and establish licensing, monitoring, and management systems for gambling activities by January 1, 2025. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Central Bank, and Tax Committee will cooperate to combat illegal gambling and enforce regulations.
