The Parliament of Kyrgyzstan - the Jogorku Kenesh - in the first reading adopted a bill on allowing casinos to operate in the country. 56 deputies voted for, 13 - against.  

Chairman of the Financial Market Regulation and Supervision Service Ulan Sarbanov noted that the purpose of the document is to attract investments and create conditions for replenishing the budget. 

According to the bill, legal entities, including those with foreign capital, will be able to open a casino. However, neither citizens of Kyrgyzstan nor foreigners under the age of 21 will be able to visit these establishments. The fine for violating this regulation will be 100,000 soms (about $1,200). 

The casino license will be issued for 10 years; its value has not yet been determined.  

The deputies noted that the initiation of the bill was due to the difficult economic situation of the country, and due to proceeds from the casino, Kyrgyzstan will be able to pay off its external debt. 

According to forecasts, one billion soms ($12 million) is expected in 2022, and 2 billion soms ($24 million) in 2024. 

The bill proposes to charge 750,000 soms ($9,071) for one casino gaming table in 2022, and already a million ($12,095) in 2023. The price will go up every year. A similar situation will be for slot machine halls and bookmakers. 

Source: https://sbccis.com/obshhie/2022/05/13/v-kyrgyzstane-proshel-pervoe-chtenie-zakonoproekt-o-kazino/