Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports expects the number of foreign gambling tourists to double following the opening of new casinos planned in four regions of the country.
Gambling tourists are foreign nationals who travel specifically to visit casinos and other gambling establishments. Currently, gambling is legally allowed only in two designated areas: the city of Konayev in the Almaty region and the Shchuchinsk Burabay resort area in the Akmola region. These facilities are open to both Kazakh citizens and foreign nationals.
The government is considering significantly expanding the size of the gambling sector. Plans are underway to open a new casino that will be available only to foreign tourists.
Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports Baurzhan Lapikov said potential locations for the new facility include East Kazakhstan, Almaty, Mangystau and Zhetys regions. He added that the expected economic effects include about 500 jobs per casino, $4 million to $8 million in annual tax revenue, and an increase of 100,000 to 200,000 annual gambling tourists.
In parallel, Kazakhstan is prioritizing the digitalization of its tourism sector. Since February, the ministry has launch Development of an integrated digital tourism ecosystem based on the Kazakhstan.Travel platform.
The upgraded system features an intelligent AI-powered route planner, online booking tools, and suggestions for the best travel dates. The new KazTuristBot provides travelers with personalized recommendations and 24/7 support.
The platform provides digital tools for businesses to access tourism product introductions, demand analysis and government support. Authorities will also have access to real-time data on tourist flows, allowing for targeted infrastructure development in high-demand areas.
As previously reported, period of central asiaKazakhstan has emerged as one of the fastest growing destinations in Central Asia for Korean tourists in 2025. According to data from the Agoda platform, interest in travel increased by 295% between January and October.