Online casinos accepting players from Kyrgyzstan

Also referred to as the Kyrgyz Republic, Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. The country is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south, and the People's Republic of China to the east.

2022 was a significant year for the local gambling industry, as the parliament voted to re-legalize land-based casinos and launch online casinos for the first time. Some rough instructions were given on the locations, and the number of machines, along with directions on payment options.

Yet, this great bit of news comes with a catch. Gambling will only be permitted to foreigners, but it will still be banned for locals.

Laws and Regulations

 June 2022 was a milestone month for the gambling industry of Kyrgyzstan, as the government made significant steps in legalizing this activity. The bill “On Gambling in the Kyrgyz Republic”, passed on its third reading, thanks to which multiple forms of gambling will become legal in the country.

As a small reminder, certain activities used to be permitted but in 2012 casinos were banned. Three years later, in 2015, the government prohibited retail bookmakers and slot halls, outlawing all forms of gambling.

With regards to the location itself, the law defines that land-based casinos can be established either in hotel complexes with at least 20 rooms or in restaurants with a minimum of 100 seats. On the other hand, slot halls must be set up in a separate facility or a room, so that they are not connected with any other type of business activity.

Furthermore, the law bill “On Gambling in the Kyrgyz Republic” defines the number of gaming tables and slot machines depending on the specific location of the land-based venue itself. For example, casinos situated in Bishkek are required to have at least 10 tables, while those elsewhere must have at least five. The return to player percentage for slot machines is limited to at least 75%.

As for the regulatory body, the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers is expected to establish it, along with license fees, and security measures.

Player Protection and Responsible Gambling Measures

Details on precise measures for responsible gambling and player protection will probably be more specifically defined as soon as the gambling industry in Kyrgyzstan launches. In the meantime, consumers should educate themselves on how to stay safe when gambling.

Here are a couple of tips that can be of help:

• Don’t gamble more than you can afford

Money management is an important skill each gambler should work on. It’s the art of knowing how to handle the funds you have, without gambling away your life savings or the money needed for bills and food.

Casinos have versatile tools to help you manage your spending. There are options to limit the sum of deposits, wagers, and losses per day, week, or month.

• Don’t spend too much time gambling

Just like with funds, operators have a couple of handy options to help you keep track of the time you spend playing casino games. Reality check sends some sort of notification during your gaming sessions, while cool off and self-exclusion allow you to take a break for a specific period of time, ranging from 24 hours to up to one year.

• Don’t ignore the signs of addiction

 If you are spending a lot of time and money on gambling, then it’s a clear signal that you are heading toward addiction. Many casinos have useful questionnaires to help you evaluate your behavior or even links for organizations trained to provide support and assistance.

Payment Methods and Banking

Kyrgyzstani som (soum/sum) or KGS for short is the official currency of Kyrgyzstan. As no online casinos support this currency, players need to choose an alternative to make a deposit and withdraw, for example, US Dollars and Euros.

According to the bill presented in June 2022, casinos and slot halls must also have a currency exchange bureau certified by the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan. Credit cards are prohibited, except when gambling on land-based slot machines.

Due to the fast growth of cryptocurrencies on a global level, Kyrgyzstan is making some progress in embracing them. The country is exploring the options of establishing national crypto. So far, the country has regulated the exchange of cryptocurrencies and the mining industry. However, the laws which govern the circulation of crypto in Kyrgyzstan are not drafted yet.

When selecting the right method to fund their casino balances, and request a cash out later, players should look for the answers to the following questions:

• What are the minimum and maximum amounts that can be deposited/ withdrawn with that specific payment option?
• Are there any fees on transactions?
• Is it necessary to verify the identity before or after depositing/ withdrawing?
• How long does a player have to wait for the transaction to be processed and approved?
• What is the policy on cashing out winnings from bonuses?

Once all these fields are checked, a consumer will be able to evaluate which banking option suits him the most. Although the options can sometimes be limited (for example, only bank transfer with high fees is available for cashouts), it’s important to be acquainted with all the rules, so as to know what to expect.

What Should Players from Kyrgyzstan Pay Attention to When Selecting a Casino?

We’ve discussed the importance of getting to know all the details related to deposits and withdrawals, as well as the importance of responsible behavior.

Those are just two fields players should explore when choosing an online casino. Although it may seem like too much effort for something that boils down to clicking, some research should be done, as it could eliminate many unpleasant situations that may occur afterward.

So, when you find yourself on a casino’s website, see if it holds a license. If you’ve ended up on an unlicensed casino site, leave the premises as soon as possible. Don’t even bother playing there, it’s too risky. Check the available channels of communication with the customer support department.

Then, look for the list of games and providers, to see how well-equipped the portfolio is. Then, proceed with the investigation by visiting the “Bonuses and Promotions” section, especially the rules on wagering requirements. If you are a fan of mobile gambling, see how well it works on portable gadgets.

Finally, make sure to read the Terms, while paying special attention to country restrictions. Have fun and gamble responsibly!

FAQ

Is it legal to gamble online in Kyrgyzstan?

It is legal for foreigners to gamble online in Kyrgyzstan, but local players are not permitted to do so. However, as there are no penalties or any legal consequences, they play on foreign betting sites.

What are the most popular online casino games in Kyrgyzstan?

Players from Kyrgyzstan like slots and table games, but they are also willing to explore other genres such as bingo, live casino games, scratchcards, and others.

Is demo play available in Kyrgyzstan-friendly online casinos?

Kyrgyz players can explore the games in demo mode. Sometimes, they have to register, but the vast majority of online operators permit access to fun mode even to guests, that is unregistered players.

Can players from Kyrgyzstan gamble on mobile devices?

Mobile gambling is popular everywhere around the world, including Kyrgyzstan. People can play games and claim bonuses while on the go, provided that there’s a stable internet connection.

What kind of online casino bonuses can Kyrgyz players claim?

Free spins, welcome bonuses, and cashback bonuses hold the reputation of players’ favorites. Other types of bonuses such as no deposit bonuses, and match bonuses, as well as tournaments, slot races, and other incentives, are also among popular choices.