Plans to ban casinos and other forms of gambling in Kyrgyzstan are gaining momentum, with key parliamentary committees adopting a bill to introduce prohibition.
Since the closure of Russia’s casinos, neighbouring countries such as Kyrgyzstan have seen an increase in gambling activity. Now, concerns over the safety of the public have prompted lawmakers to push for a change in the law.
Some key political figures have suggested the revenue collected from gambling by the treasury is not sufficient to allow gambling activities to continue and that new capital projects undertaken by the government will mitigate the loss of jobs resulting from the ban.
However, others have warned that closing the country’s casinos will hit the tourism market, while local gaming groups have claimed the move will send gaming underground.
