Uzbekistan has not granted any bookmaker licenses more than a year after legalizing betting

(AsiaGameHub) –   Over a year has passed since Uzbekistan legalized gambling and online betting, yet the nation has not granted any bookmaking licenses, according to Askarjon Zakirov, a representative of the National Agency for Advanced Projects, who spoke at a recent press briefing.

Zakirov noted that although businesses show considerable interest, demonstrated by their active market research and examination of regulatory frameworks, no company has yet formally applied. The majority of operators are still unprepared to satisfy all requirements and will need additional time to finalize their preparations.

In addition to the stringent standards and strict conditions set by the government, operators face challenges related to capital requirements, maintaining adequate reserves, implementing player identity verification systems, and integrating with the Unified State Register of Betting and Players.

Government officials are developing new measures to safeguard users and minimize the risk of market manipulation.

Significantly, the core technological infrastructure has been substantially completed. For example, the national Unified State Register of betting and players has been established and is nearing full operation.

Uzbekistan legalized gambling and online betting effective January 1, 2025, followed by the introduction of licensing and regulatory guidelines. Each license lasts five years and costs 500 basic units, equivalent to 206 million soums or approximately 1.5 million rubles, which is the standard fee for new applicants.