(AsiaGameHub) – Kazakhstan has authorized the creation of four new casino zones, designed specifically for international visitors. This state-led project seeks to boost tourism expenditure from abroad and broaden the nation’s regional leisure attractions outside of its primary cities.
As per local news, the zones are situated in strategic locales recognized for their natural appeal. These encompass the Caspian Sea coast’s Mangistau region, Zhetysu’s Panfilov district and Lake Alakol shore, the Talgar district in Almaty region, along with the Markakol area and Zaisan district in East Kazakhstan.
These sites were chosen to foster development in less mature resort areas. The goal is to promote a wider distribution of tourist activity across the country.
In contrast to the two current casino zones in Konayev (Almaty region) and Shchuchinsk-Borovoye (Akmola), which are open to both residents and foreigners, the new venues are legally limited to overseas guests.
This strategy differs from moves in other markets like Vietnam, where officials have tested allowing domestic patrons to gamble.
Officials stated that gambling venues will be prohibited in protected nature reserves, cultural heritage locations, or on land deemed vital for national security.
‘Around 500 jobs per casino’
Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports, Baurzhan Rapikov, underscored the projected economic advantages of these new zones.
“The anticipated benefits are roughly 500 positions per casino, yearly tax income of 2-4 billion tenge, and a rise in gambling tourists from 100,000 to 200,000,” he said.
The tourism industry in Kazakhstan has seen significant expansion lately, with reported revenue near 1.25 trillion tenge and investments surpassing $2.6 billion.
Current law restricts local gambling to two regulated zones. Authorities plan to adapt and apply this framework to the new foreign-only locations, aiming to draw an international audience while keeping the practice contained domestically.
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