Kyrgyzstan Reports 24 Licensed Online Casino Operators Amid Strict Domestic Ban

A significant shift in gambling policy is taking place in Central Asia, primarily driven by fiscal interests. Kyrgyzstan has issued licenses to 24 online casino operators, according to official data from the Financial Market Regulation and Supervision Service. This increase marks a clear expansion of a sector that was only legalized in 2022 after a years-long ban. The unique feature of the Kyrgyz model is its strict focus on export: while companies can obtain licenses to offer games over the internet, participation remains prohibited for the country's own population under threat of legal consequences.

However, recent developments show that the regulatory wall between permitted business with foreigners and the ban for locals is porous. Kairat Mamatov, Chairman of the Financial Market Regulation and Supervision Service, reported on the current status during a parliamentary committee meeting on September 15, 2026. It became clear that while the number of licenses is growing, enforcing bans for Kyrgyz citizens remains a Herculean task. People in the country are increasingly using platforms that have no local authorization and thus operate outside state control.

Numbers and facts

A look at the register details reveals a complex structure of license issuance. While Mamatov spoke of 24 operators, the authority's public register currently lists 22 records, divided into 12 entries for virtual casino administration and 10 entries for the actual operators. This difference likely results from different counting methods for license categories within the authority. Compared to March 2024, growth has been massive: at that time, the regulator recorded only four administration and four operator licenses. The number of registered units has thus nearly tripled within a short period.

Financially, the industry is also making an impact for the state, although the lion's share has so far come from the land-based sector. In 2024, the government collected a total of KGS 178.9 million (approximately $2.05 million) in licensing fees. Of this, KGS 168 million was attributable to terrestrial casinos and only KGS 10.9 million (about $124,600) to the online sector. The conversion was based on the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic's exchange rate of 87.45 KGS per dollar on September 15, 2026.

"Kyrgyz citizens continue to access gambling websites registered outside the country, despite legislation prohibiting them from participating in locally licensed casino gambling." - Kairat Mamatov, Chairman of the Financial Market Regulation and Supervision Service

Background

The 2022 Kyrgyz gambling law aimed to tap into new revenue streams through tourism and international online players. National digital IDs were intended to ensure that locals remain excluded from the offerings. But this is precisely where the paradox lies: since there are no legal domestic online options for Kyrgyz citizens, they migrate directly to unregulated offshore providers. Mamatov admitted that authorities so far have no exact figures on how many citizens use these gray markets or how high the turnover there is. The scale of enforcement actions against illegal websites also remained vague in the report.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the development in Kyrgyzstan primarily serves as a warning. Licenses from Kyrgyzstan or other Central Asian states have no validity in the German market. Anyone playing on such platforms from Germany is engaging in illegal gambling. The German Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) strictly requires a license from the Joint Gambling Authority of the Laender (GGL). Only these providers are obliged to comply with strict player protection rules, such as the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros via the LUGAS system or the 1 euro per spin limit on slots. Those playing at a Kyrgyz provider forfeit all legal protection in cases of payout disputes or addiction prevention.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For companies licensed in Germany, the expansion of such niche markets means increased competitive pressure from the black market. Since Kyrgyz licenses impose almost no player protection requirements for international customers, they can lure players with higher bonuses or a lack of stake limits. The GGL is therefore tasked with strengthening channeling toward legal German offers by taking action against advertising for such offshore licenses. Casinos with a German permit must clearly communicate the added value of safety and legality to their customers to hold their ground against unregulated competition from abroad.