President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on April 19 titled "On Measures to Improve the Regulation of the Organization and Conduct of Lotteries and Risk-Based Games in the Republic of Uzbekistan." The document abolishes the ban starting from January 1, 2025, and introduces a legal framework for the organization of risk-based games online and betting activities.
The issue of legalizing betting activities has been a long-standing topic in Uzbekistan. In December 2019, the president signed a decree to legalize bookmakers, but this decision was revised in April 2022. In April 2023, the head of state instructed the development of a regulatory framework for betting activities.
The National Agency for Advanced Projects (NAAP), the authorized state body for regulating and licensing activities in this sector, provided insights on the necessity of introducing state regulation in the gambling sector in Uzbekistan. The agency emphasized the need to prevent illegal gambling businesses, protect players' rights, and generate additional income for the state budget.
The president's decree aims to introduce advanced foreign experience and modern technologies in regulating the organization of risk-based games and lotteries to increase investment attractiveness, tourist potential, and attract additional funds to the country.
The measures outlined in the decree include the creation of legal foundations for the legalization of activities related to risk-based games online, betting activities, and lotteries, implementation of mechanisms to protect citizens' rights and interests, prevention of gambling addiction, and the generation of additional state budget revenue.
Starting from January 1, 2025, a taxation system will be introduced for license holders, where organizers of online games, betting activities, and lotteries will pay a turnover tax. This system aims to prevent the concealment of taxable revenue and is expected to generate additional tax revenues for the state budget.
Overall, the implementation of the decree is intended to establish a reliable foundation for the legal regulation of activities related to organizing risk-based games online, betting activities, and lotteries in Uzbekistan, protect citizens' interests, combat gambling addiction, and provide additional sources of income for the state budget.
