Key Facts
- Gambling banned 2007 to 2024 (17+ years)
- Presidential decree: April 19, 2024
- Regulations effective: January 1, 2025
- Market sanctions enforcement: October 9, 2025
- 4% tax on gross gambling yield
- Player winnings: exempt from personal income tax
- Projected state revenue: $6 million USD/year
- Previously lost to offshore: $50 million/year
After 17 years of prohibition, Uzbekistan has moved to regulate online gambling. The April 2024 presidential decree and subsequent regulations aim to bring what was estimated as a $50-million-per-year unregulated market into a formal framework. Here is a complete breakdown of the law, what changed, and what it means for Uzbek bettors.
The Background: 17 Years of Prohibition
In 2007, then-President Islam Karimov signed an executive order banning all forms of gambling in Uzbekistan - including casinos, lotteries, betting shops, and online gambling. For nearly two decades, the prohibition was the law of the land. But it was largely ineffective in the digital age. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, offshore operators noted surging demand from Uzbekistan as millions of newly connected internet users discovered online betting. Operators like 1xBet, Mostbet, 22Bet, and Melbet began localizing their websites in Uzbek, accepting UzCard and Humo deposits through intermediary payment channels, and marketing directly to Uzbek bettors via Telegram and social media. The government estimated this unregulated shadow economy cost the state $50 million per year in lost tax revenue while providing zero consumer protections.
The Turning Point: April 2024 Presidential Decree
On April 19, 2024, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the Decree 'On Measures to Improve the Regulation of Organizing and Conducting Lotteries and Risk-Based Games.' This decree marked a fundamental shift from prohibition to regulation. It ordered the development of a comprehensive framework to bring online gambling, sports betting, and lotteries into the legal market by January 1, 2025. The National Agency of Perspective Projects (NAPP) was designated as the regulatory authority, responsible for licensing, monitoring, and enforcement.
The Framework: December 2024 Cabinet Resolution
On December 6, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved detailed licensing requirements that took effect January 1, 2025. The framework covers every aspect of the market: 5-year licenses issued by NAPP costing 18.75 million UZS (~$1,500) with renewals at 9.375 million UZS (~$730); minimum authorized capital of 56.25 billion UZS ($4.4 million) for betting operators and 20.625 billion UZS ($1.6 million) for lottery operators; mandatory use of.uz domains; digital identity verification against government databases; establishment of the Unified State Register of Bets and Players (USRBP); and a 4% tax on gross gambling yield with player winnings exempt from personal income tax.
July 2025: Illegal Gambling Penalties
Ahead of the market's formal enforcement date, Uzbekistan amended its Penal Code to impose strict penalties on unlicensed operators. Foreign firms face fines of up to 25,000 BRV (~$882,000). AML violations carry fines of 15,000 BRV (~$529,200). Authorities gained power to seize illegal earnings, block internet and banking access, and permanently ban repeat offenders from the Uzbek financial system.
October 2025: Regulated Market Enforcement Begins
The regulated market officially opened for enforcement on October 9, 2025, with sanctions applicable to any operator serving Uzbek customers without a license.
March 2026: Current Status
As of March 2026, no domestic licenses have been formally issued. NAPP has confirmed that interest remains from potential applicants, but the regulatory infrastructure, including the USRBP system and digital identity verification, is still being finalised. Potential applicants are preparing to meet the substantial capital requirements.
The legal framework is still important to describe precisely. Uzbekistan's reform path involved a presidential decree in April 2024 that ended a 17-year ban. The implementing regulations followed in December 2024 and took effect on 1 January 2025. Enforcement of penalties against unlicensed operators began in October 2025. However, the absence of any formally issued domestic licence as of March 2026 means the regulated market remains in a preparatory phase.
The market is projected to generate approximately $6 million USD annually in state tax revenue once licensed operators are active.
Why This Matters
Regulatory changes in Uzbekistan directly affect which operators are available, how deposits and withdrawals work, and what consumer protections exist. Staying informed helps you make safer betting decisions.