iGamingNews – новости iGaming

iGN x 4H: Overview of Uzbekistan’s iGaming License

iGN x 4H: Overview of Uzbekistan’s iGaming License

The iGN editorial team, together with experts from 4H Agency, has prepared an analysis of Uzbekistan’s licensing model, where the gambling market was legalized in early 2025 for online gambling, betting, and lotteries.

Online Gambling and Bookmaking (5 Years)

  • License term — 5 years

  • Minimum authorized capital — ~$5.13 million

  • Financial guarantee — ~$2.5 million

  • License issuance and renewal — ~$17,000

  • Updating license details — 50% of the license cost

Key Requirements for Applicants

  • The license is available only to legal entities that are residents of Uzbekistan

  • The operator’s servers must be located in Uzbekistan

  • Operations may be conducted only through a single domain in the national segment (.uz)

  • Acceptance of deposits, bets, and payout of winnings must be carried out exclusively through the Unified State Register of Bettors and Players

  • Gaming equipment and software must have certificates of conformity issued by accredited authorities

  • The operator must comply with AML/CFT requirements, rules on storage and use of personal data, advertising regulations, and requirements for the business reputation of owners

  • Games and betting must comply with the principles of responsible gambling; the website must clearly display the rules, risks, and participation restrictions

Operators Are Prohibited From

  • Providing services to minors

  • Interacting with individuals with gambling addiction and persons included in official restriction lists

  • Using uncertified equipment or software

  • Operating through a domain not specified in the license

  • Providing players with credit, installment plans, or loans, including funds from third parties

  • Using cash and other unauthorized payment methods for accepting deposits and paying out winnings

Main Taxes

  • Tax — 4% of GGR

Market Features

  • Since 2019, Uzbekistan has made several attempts to launch a regulated gambling market, but the first efforts were unsuccessful

  • In 2022, work on the reform resumed; in 2023, the president instructed the development of an updated regulatory model, and in 2024 a decree закрепed the official launch for January 2025

  • By early 2025, the actual launch had not taken place; the market exists only on paper, and not a single license has been issued

  • Strict financial and technical requirements (high authorized capital, large reserves, complex infrastructure obligations) have made the market excessively expensive and virtually inaccessible

  • The authorities have already acknowledged that a strict ban does not deliver results and only pushes players into the gray market

According to 4H, the Uzbek license combines formal liberalization with excessively high entry barriers. The requirements for capital, reserves, and infrastructure appear disproportionate to the potential size of the market, discouraging even large players.

Uzbekistan declares a course toward the legalization of online gambling and betting, but until the industry is actually launched, the market remains in a state of uncertainty. Without easing the financial and technical conditions, the license risks remaining unclaimed.