Kazakhstan Casino and Card Room Gaming

In an effort to promulgate tourism and attract foreign investment, Kazakhstan's casino industry is restricted to two cities, Kapchagai and Schuchinsk.

Current casino legislation was passed in January 2007 and set a deadline of 1 April 2007 for the country’s existing casinos, slot halls and gambling parlors to relocate to one of the two newly designated gambling areas. The President’s office estimated that there were 132 casinos and about 2,000 slot halls and gaming parlors prior to the restrictions.

Many gambling operators were unable to comply with the tight relocation deadline, and a large number of casinos, slot halls and gambling parlors were closed in April 2007.

2008 and 2009 saw the first casinos open in Kapchagai. The proximity to the Chinese border was thought to be a draw for Chinese tourists; however, due to lack of high-end hotel facilities, an increase in tourism failed to materialize.

There are approximately a dozen casinos in operation.