The head of state signed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on issues of gambling, lottery activities, health protection, state labor inspection, state control and the elimination of unnecessary legislative regulation,” Kazinform agency reports.
The law introduces restrictive and stimulating norms aimed at reducing gambling addiction among the population. The list of persons prohibited from participating in gambling/betting has been expanded. These additionally include persons included in the Unified Register of Debtors (an electronic data bank containing information about debtors in enforcement proceedings). The participation of persons holding a responsible public position, authorized to perform government functions, and persons equivalent to them in gambling/betting is limited by introducing anti-corruption restrictions on participation in them.
Now civil servants, military personnel, employees of special and law enforcement agencies, and heads of budgetary organizations will also not be able to participate in gambling/betting. Failure to comply with the restrictions will result in dismissal. The mechanisms for regulating the activities of gambling business organizers have been strengthened. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will approve standard rules for the operation of a gambling establishment, bookmaker's office, totalizator, betting and gambling organizations, which must comply with the rules of gambling business entities.
Restrictions have been established on advertising of bookmakers and sweepstakes. Outdoor (visual) advertising of bookmakers and sweepstakes, their advertising on vehicles, in the media, cinema, video and reference services is prohibited. The exceptions are: outdoor advertising at the location of a bookmaker's office or betting shop; inside sports facilities and on athletes’ equipment; advertising in registered sports focused media, as well as during live broadcasts of international sports competitions by domestic television channels.
The mechanisms for regulating lottery activities have been updated. In particular, a ban has been introduced on the distribution of lottery tickets and the installation of lottery terminals in residential buildings, dormitories, religious buildings, buildings and structures of cultural organizations, as well as in social facilities (education, healthcare), including within a radius of one hundred meters from them. To protect the health of the younger generation from the consequences of consuming energy drinks, a ban is introduced on their sale to persons under the age of 21.