On March 20th, Deputy Askhat Aymagambetov announced plans to introduce amendments aimed at reducing gambling addiction in Kazakhstan. The media raised questions regarding potential measures to restrict access to gambling for individuals under 21 years old.
Two options are currently under discussion: setting the age limit for betting and overall access to gambling at either 21 or 25 years old. These proposals will undergo further review within a working group before a final decision is reached, according to Deputy Aymagambetov.
Furthermore, the proposed law includes a provision to bar debtors from participating in gambling activities. It also addresses advertising restrictions for betting shops and totalizators, with penalties for unlicensed foreign bookmakers and online casinos, stressing the importance of enforcement.
Deputy Aymagambetov emphasized that the draft law introduces criminal liability as a new element. On March 20th, the lower house of the Kazakh Parliament commenced the deliberation of a bill that would prevent individuals listed in the unified debtors' registry from partaking in gambling activities.
