Kazakhstan Blocks $20.8M in Illegal Gambling Payments

Kazakhstan has stepped up its campaign against illegal online gambling by targeting the financial networks that support unlicensed operators. Recent data shows that the country’s banking sector has blocked hundreds of thousands of transactions linked to blacklisted gambling businesses and payment providers over the past six months.

Banks Reject Thousands of Suspicious Transactions

According to figures published by Blask, second-tier banks in Kazakhstan rejected more than 400,000 transactions between October 2025 and March 2026. The blocked payments were connected to 110 companies and payment systems included on the country’s blacklist, with a combined value of approximately $20.8 million (£15.6 million).

The latest figures highlight the government’s growing reliance on financial controls to disrupt illegal gambling activity. Authorities also arrested 11 employees from financial institutions who are suspected of helping unlicensed operators bypass existing restrictions.

By cutting access to payment services, regulators aim to make it increasingly difficult for illegal gambling businesses to operate within the country.

Broader Measures Target Gambling Infrastructure

Kazakhstan’s enforcement efforts extend beyond the banking sector. Authorities have also instructed mobile network operators, including Tele2, Beeline, Kcell and Activ, to prevent gambling-related payments in real time.

At the same time, geoblocking measures have been introduced to restrict access to unlicensed gambling websites targeting players in Kazakhstan.

These combined actions form part of a broader strategy focused on dismantling the infrastructure that supports illegal gambling rather than relying solely on enforcement against operators themselves.

Under current legislation, online casinos remain prohibited in Kazakhstan, while online sports betting is permitted only through a limited number of licensed bookmakers.

Focus Shifts Toward Infrastructure Disruption

Kazakhstan’s strategy reflects a wider international trend, with regulators increasingly targeting payment providers, telecommunications services and other supporting infrastructure used by illegal gambling businesses.

A similar approach has recently been highlighted by the Dutch Gambling Authority, whose licensing and supervision director, Ella Seijsener, stated that financial penalties alone have had limited success against black-market operators. Instead, regulators are placing greater emphasis on disrupting payment systems, hosting services and marketing channels that enable illegal gambling platforms to continue operating.

Land-Based Gaming Expansion Continues

While online enforcement is becoming stricter, Kazakhstan is simultaneously considering expanding its land-based gambling industry.

Reports published in May indicated that lawmakers are reviewing proposals to establish additional gambling zones in tourism-focused locations, including Mangistau on the Caspian Sea, Panfilov district and Lake Alakol in the Zhetysu region, Talgar district in the Almaty region and the Markakol and Zaisan areas in East Kazakhstan.

According to the proposals, these new casino zones would primarily target international visitors and would remain off-limits to Kazakh citizens, maintaining the country’s restrictive approach toward domestic gambling participation.