A Full Guide To The Best Kazakhstan Casinos

The largest landlocked country on our globe, Kazakhstan boasts a population of over 18 million people and more than 130 ethnic groups. But are Kazakhstan casinos legal for online gamblers and, overall, what is the legislation around gambling for the Kazakh people? Read our guide here to discover more.

  • Aleksandra Nolan
  • Updated: 27.09.2024

  • Updated: 27.09.2024

  • Reviewed by: Alexis Johnson
  • Best KZT Casinos

    The Top-Rated Kazakhstan Online Casinos

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    Overview of KZT Gambling

    A Short Overview Of Gambling In KazakhstanKazakhstan casinos

    Gambling in Kazakhstan has been around since the days of tsarist Russia. The infamous Tsar Peter I signed a decree in 1698 allowing organised lotteries, with other forms of gambling permitted over the years.

    The Kazakhstan government introduced a law in 2007 prohibiting all forms of online gambling in the country. It even banned land-based casinos in all regions except Kapshagay and Schuchinsk. That meant that all brick-and-mortar casinos outside of these two areas either shut their doors or were moved to operate legitimately.

    Kazakhstani Gambling Facts At A Glance

    FactExplanation
    CurrencyKazakhstan’s official currency is the Tenge, which was introduced in 1993 and replaced the Russian rouble used during the era of the Soviet Union.
    PopulationKazakhstan is a large country with close to 20 million residents and a wide array of ethnic groups.
    Active GamblersThere’s a large number of online gamblers in the country, especially in the 25 – 45 age group.
    Regulatory AuthorityThe government regulates gambling in the country and is responsible for collecting any relevant taxes.
    LicensingOnline casinos and gambling in KZT are prohibited, but players can play at regulated offshore casinos under the watchful eye of reputable regulatory authorities.
    Types of OperatorsKazakh players have access to a variety of the best offshore operators that offer thousands of games, plenty of bonuses and so much more.

    At A Glance

    So, Is It Legal For Kazakhs To Gamble?

    In short, no. It is illegal to play at Kazakhstan casinos online. However, there are plenty of reputable online casinos for Kazakhstan players to safely and legitimately play at, provided you’re very careful.

    As mentioned, the Presidential Act of 2007 prohibited online gambling in the country, while land-based KZT casinos were allowed to operate in just two designated regions. The Act covers any casino licenses issued before April 2007 and declares them expired. Before the law, there were over 130 land-based casinos in the country, with some opting for underground operations once the law came into being.

    Under current KZT legislation, operators that want to run brick-and-mortar casinos in the country must get a licence from the local regulatory body and the licence is valid for 10 years. There are also requirements around the minimum number of games the facilities must offer – at least 50 slot machines and 20 table games.

    Kazakhstan online casinos

    But this doesn’t stop players from seeking offshore Kazakhstan casinos where they can play real money games, claim bonuses and, hopefully, turn a profit every once in a while. When it comes to looking for international casino platforms, it’s important to carefully check that a site is reputable, regulated and safe to play at and that your preferred payment methods won’t draw attention to your gaming habits.

    Since online Kazakh casino gambling is banned, the courts regularly take decisions to block offshore websites. There are still more than enough legal online casinos to play at, though, and you’ll find them right here on our top list.

    Despite online casinos being banned in the country, most players don’t bat an eyelid, thanks to the help of virtual private network (VPN) services to access the top offshore casinos that accept KZT players.

    What About Lotteries, Poker And Horse Racing?

    Unlike online casino gambling in the country, Kazakh legal policies favour sports betting and lotteries. Like casinos, though, land-based betting establishments are only permitted in specially designated gambling zones. Poker websites are prohibited.

    Gambling In Kazakhstan

    Authority And Licence For Kazakhstan Casinos

    online Kazakhstan casinos

    Since online Kazakhstan casinos are banned, there is no dedicated licence for this arena. But when Kazakh players wish to try their luck at international online casinos, we recommend only playing at properly regulated sites that hold licenses from the likes of Gibraltar, Curacao, Malta or even the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. Under these authorities, casinos are obligated to offer a safe, provably fair gambling platform that encourages responsible gambling. Take a look through our top list of the best Kazakhstan casinos based overseas, and you’ll find that some sites offer Russian and Kazakh platforms which only serve to enhance your online gambling experience.

    What Happens If You’re Caught Playing At Kazakhstan Casinos?

    As a result of the stringent online gambling laws in the country, clandestine operators, if caught, will face jail time. As for players, there’s no worry of being caught, provided you follow the recommendations on this page.

    What’s more, make sure you are of an acceptable gambling age when you sign up at offshore casinos. The legal gambling age is commonly 18 years or older. If you want to visit the land-based Kazakhstan casinos, though, you will need to be at least 21 years old.

    Kazakhstani Gambling Taxation

    While Kazakh players aren’t required to pay taxes on winnings made at offshore Kazakhstan casinos, operators must pay taxes on a quarterly basis and dependent on the type of activities offered. Since online gambling is prohibited in the country, this taxation applies to the handful of land-based casinos.

    FAQ

    Popular Casino Games In Kazakhstan

    Laws and regulations aside, Kazakhstani gamblers who play at offshore Kazakhstan casinos have access to a plethora of the latest, greatest and most immersive casino games, including categories like:

    Playing these games of luck and skill provides immense entertainment, along with the chance to win some money. In fact, there really is something for all budgets and tastes when you play at the top offshore Kazakhstan casinos. Whether you’re into themed slots, Live Casino tables or just fancy your luck with a few scratch cards, you are sure to find what suits you.

    Everything You Need To Know About Live Casinos In KZT

    Are Live Kazakhstan casinos legal? No, they fall under the same legislation as online gambling in the country. But, when you safely play at reputable offshore casinos, Live Dealer games bring all the thrills of gambling right to your screen. What’s more, these games are brought to you by the top developers in the business, in real-time, high definition and streamed from glamorous studios around the world. Some of the most popular Live Casino games include:

    • Live Dealer Roulette
    • Infinity Blackjack
    • Live Dealer Blackjack
    • Live Craps
    • Poker
    • Baccarat Live
    • Game Show-type games

    Whether you’re keen to put some skills to the test or play a few fun games, you’re sure to find Live Casino options that work for you and your budget. The top offshore Kazakhstani online casinos also offer high roller and VIP tables for players who aren’t afraid to bet big (and potentially win big, too).

    Online Sports Betting For Kazakhs

    While we’ve briefly mentioned the laws around sports betting in the country, this is a particularly popular form of gambling amongst Kazakh punters. While online gambling is technically illegal, there are a few online bookmakers operating in the country, but, like casinos, Kazakh punters can easily access offshore sites.

    Authority and Licence

    Popular Ways To Pay And Play From KZT

    Payment MethodDescription
    Russian e-walletsPopular e-wallets amongst Kazakh players include Yandex, QIWI and Webmoney. Speedy payouts and easy payment procedures from these e-wallets (some of which may be linked to bank cards) make them an appealing option at offshore Kazakhstan casinos.
    International e-walletsOptions like Skrill, Neteller and EcoPayzare popular options t international casinos, but sadly don’t issue bank cards for Kazakh players, making it difficult to withdraw your winnings from these e-wallets. But, if you do opt for such options, the withdrawal time from casinos to e-wallets is usually a matter of minutes.
    CryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencies are the ideal way to pay and play at online casinos. They offer a large degree of anonymity and added layers of security, along with fast deposits and cashouts as well as low fees (if any).
    Bank Cards and TransfersBoth options are widely available at offshore casinos, but processing times are lengthy, and the KZT government likely will block gambling transactions or impose hefty taxes on your winnings.

    Bonuses and Promotions

    On the topic of cryptocurrencies, crypto gambling has yet to be specifically addressed by the Kazakhstan gambling legislation. However, it’s important to know that Ethereum, Litecoin and even Bitcoin have been declared de facto illegal since 2020. As a result, you won’t be able to use crypto locally. But it’s not a problem when you play at offshore Kazakhstan casinos that are properly regulated.

    The local laws don’t extend to these operators, and the operators themselves don’t use or exchange crypto coins directly. Rather, a third-party exchange app is typically used to exchange digital currencies. As a result, Kazakh players can legally, safely and anonymously pay and play with crypto at their favourite online casinos.

    Do Any Offshore Online Casinos Accept Kazakhstani Tenge?

    Of course, the casinos within the designated gambling zones in the country accepted KZT tenge. While not many offshore casinos accept tenge, you will find that you’re able to fund your account and withdraw your winnings in Euros, US Dollars, Russian rubles and a variety of other currencies. It does, however, mean, that you’ll need to account for currency conversion fees when playing at international Kazakhstan casinos.

    Kazakhstan casinos online

    Kazakhstan Online Casino Bonuses And Promotions

    There’s no denying that incentives are a big part of the gambling experience. That’s why when we review online casinos, we always cover the latest bonuses and promotions, and that includes offers for players at offshore Kazakhstan casinos. Popular offers you’ll come across include:

    • Welcome bonus – given to new players who register and make a required minimum deposit. These bonuses usually come in the form of a percentage that matches your deposit, and sometimes with a bundle of free spins.
    • Match deposit bonus – bonuses that match your deposit up to a particular percentage and amount.
    • Free spins bonus – spins you can use on select slots titles, either as part of a no deposit bonus, welcome bonus or even a special promotion.
    • Cashback bonus – a percentage back of losses you incurred during a specific period of time.
    • Reload bonus – a reward for refunding your online casino account.
    • Loyalty and VIP rewards – special promotions and perks for high rollers and consistently regular players.
    • Tournaments – table and slot tournaments that give the chance to work your way up a leader board for often large sums of cash.
    • Drops & Wins – quick and easy offers that give you the chance to win some serious cash.

    Popular Payment Methods

    Responsible Kazakh Gambling, Even Offshore

    Since gambling is prohibited in the country, there is no government-backed service for players with gambling problems. That means you need to rely on legitimate offshore casinos for such matters. The best overseas Kazakhstan casinos offer a variety of responsible gambling tools and limits, including the option to self-exclude from a site and seek outside help when things are getting out of hand.

    Some of the most popular responsible gambling tools available at online casinos include:

    • Reality checks
    • Time limits
    • Deposit limits
    • Loss limits
    • Time-out
    • Cooling-off period

    How We Choose The Best Casino Sites In Kazakhstan

    Reputation

    This is a zero-sum game for us. To make our top list, casinos must have a reliable reputation, and since Kazakh players don’t have local protection, it’s important that they only play at regulated casinos that protect gamblers.

    Licence

    Since licenses for Kazakhstan casinos don’t exist, players should only play at offshore casinos under the Gibraltar, Curacao or Malta Gaming Authorities, for example.

    Language

    The best KZT casinos offer help (and even the entire platform) in Russian or Kazakh, for a more immersive and user-friendly gaming experience.

    Software

    Casinos should provide responsive, secure software along with games from renowned software developers.

    Customer Service

    Should you encounter any issues, you want help right away. Top Kazakhstan casinos offer various ways to get in touch with customer support, preferably at convenient times and in a choice of languages.

    Verifications

    Legit casinos will require KZT players to pass verification processes to confirm their identity, address and payment method.

    Game Variety

    Top casinos offer thousands of games to meet all budgets and preferences, from slots to Live Casino games, table games and a whole lot more.

    Bonuses

    Bonuses are tricky business. We make sure that they come with reasonable terms, conditions and wagering requirements to suit your budget.

    Payment Methods

    There needs to be a decent amount of payment methods to suit Kazakh players. We also look for reasonable fees (if any) and accepted currencies.

    User-Friendliness

    Modern Kazakhstan casinos should be fast-loading, easy to navigate and serve up a quality design that adds to a thrilling gaming experience.

    Responsible KZT Gambling

    Aleksandra Nolan

    Experienced online casino writer and reviewer who loves to share her knowledge and experience with others. She enjoys analyzing the latest trends in the industry and offering valuable tips to help others by having the most from betting at online casinos. She is constantly looking for new and interesting topics to write about and stays up-to-date on the latest changes in the online gambling industry.