New gambling zones are planned to be opened in Kazakhstan in the Mangystau, Almaty, East Kazakhstan and Zhetysu regions. As reported by the Minister of Tourism and Sport, Yerbol Myrzabosynov, the relevant provisions are included in the adopted law, but specific land plots for the casinos have not yet been determined.
According to Tengrinews.kz, in addition to the existing gambling zones in Borovoye and Kapshagay, the placement of casinos is planned:
- on the coast of the Caspian Sea in the Mangystau region;
- on the coast of Lake Alakol in the Panfilov district of the Zhetysu region;
- in the Talgar district of the Almaty region;
- in the Markakol and Zaisan districts of the East Kazakhstan region.
According to the minister, the selection of specific land plots falls under the competence of local executive bodies.
"We determine the zones, and the specific plot will be determined by the akimats. This will depend on infrastructure and other factors," said Myrzabosynov.
The head of the department emphasised that the authorities view the creation of gambling zones solely as a tool for developing the tourism industry. According to him, this model is widely used in other countries and allows for attracting additional tourist flow.
As the minister stated, each new casino could generate from 2 to 3 billion tenge in annual tax revenue for the budget and provide around 500 jobs.
Yerbol Myrzabosynov also refuted claims about a possible reduction in the tax burden on the gambling sector.
"There is no talk of any tax reduction. Casinos pay taxes on each gaming table. Overall, the amount of tax deductions will be from two to three billion tenge," he stressed.
The government does not rule out that the list of gambling zones could be expanded in the future.
"Today these zones have been defined; in the future they may even be expanded. This is being done to develop tourism," the minister added.
Earlier, it was reported that in the Almaty region, plans are underway to create a new gambling zone on the territory of the high-altitude resort "Ak-Bulak". The regional akimat is developing a resolution on the boundaries of the future zone, and the authorised bodies are finalising a draft law that will officially include the tourist centre in the list of territories where gambling is permitted for foreign citizens.
For context, in October, the FBRK editorial team published an article examining the situation with the mass seizure of plots and the possible connection of this process with the designation of new territories for gambling businesses.
However, regional authorities refuted this information. The Akim of Akmola region, Marat Akhmetzhanov, stated that the reports about the construction of casinos are not true — the plots for gaming zones have already been determined by a government resolution, and the placement of new facilities is not under discussion.