(12 February 2026 | Source: press service of the Prosecutor’s Office of the West Kazakhstan Region)
A pre-trial investigation has been launched in the West Kazakhstan Region (WKR) into the illegal use of budget funds on an especially large scale. According to the prosecutor’s office, the suspect is an accountant at one of the state enterprises.
WHAT THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE HAS ESTABLISHED
The Prosecutor’s Office of the West Kazakhstan Region has reported the discovery of a case of illegal appropriation of funds on an especially large scale at one of the region’s state enterprises.
According to preliminary data, the accountant, who suffers from a gambling addiction, used the enterprise’s money to place bets with the bookmaker “1XBet”. It is also noted that a new car was purchased with these funds.
The amount of damage to the state is estimated at 118 million tenge.
WHAT STAGE THE CASE IS AT
A pre-trial investigation is being conducted under paragraph 2 of part 4 of Article 189 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“Misappropriation or embezzlement of entrusted another’s property on an especially large scale”).
The investigation is being carried out by special prosecutors. By court order, the suspect has been placed in a pre-trial detention centre. The purchased car has been seized.
PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED CASES OF CIVIL SERVANTS INVOLVED IN GAMBLING
The prosecutor’s office recalled that in 2025, under a supervision notice from the prosecutor’s office in WKR, 16 employees of various state bodies were dismissed for taking part in gambling.
It was also previously reported that in Shymkent, more than 30 civil servants were held accountable for participating in gambling, and in the Mangistau Region, an employee of the state revenue department was dismissed for placing bets through a bookmaker platform.
The supervisory authority emphasises that it continues its systematic work to identify and prevent misuse of budget funds.