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Is Online Sports Betting Allowed in Uzbekistan?

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Uzbeks are huge football and wrestling fans. So naturally, this comes with interest in gambling and betting on your favorite players and teams. However, since Uzbekistan’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, there has been a steady decline in gambling due to the strong Islamic influence in the country.

According to the Quran, the Muslim holy book, gambling is a sin for all true Muslims. As a result, the government has been doubling down its efforts to outlaw gambling bit by bit through the years.

All through the 2000s, Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan’s then-president, legislated several decrees against gambling. This ensured the closure of casinos and slot machines throughout the country and the ban on land-based and online sports betting. In 2002, the government even banned casual games like billiards.

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Is online gambling legal in Uzbekistan?

Since the early 2000s, all forms of gambling, including online lotteries and sports betting, were prohibited in Uzbekistan, according to the Constitution and several presidential decrees. In addition, land-based gambling and billiards were outlawed in 2002 by the Uzbek government. This includes traditional gambling, such as cock fights, bullfights, and poker.

There are no licensed online or land-based betting companies in the country. Sometimes, illegal betting on local sports events still happens, especially football, but it’s not officially sanctioned.

However, the only legal form of gambling is a land-based state lottery organized by the Joint-Stock Commercial People’s bank for players 18 and above.

What are the rules regulating online betting in Uzbekistan?

The Uzbek government is very stringent on gambling, so no licensed Uzbekistan betting sites are active in the market, apart from the state-owned lottery. Despite this, illegal casinos and bookmarkers still operate in Uzbekistan.

Nonetheless, the Uzbek government actively cracks down on gambling dens and internet cafes that allow people to access online casinos on their computers. The law also states a penalty for running an illegal gambling operation of up to 5 years imprisonment.

In addition, betting on foreign online sites is technically illegal, but the government does not persecute players.

Therefore, the only option for Uzbekistani players is to bet on foreign betting sites which accept Uzbeks to avoid warranting a fine by the government. The Uzbek government censors the internet but doesn’t block international online casinos as it lacks the right infrastructure and technology.

However, towards the end of 2019, the government tried to legalize online and land-based sports betting. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev ordered a decree to launch sports betting operations to help fund and develop the sports industry. This amendment aims to regulate online betting and take half of the income from betting.

Despite this decree, the government should have finalized the legalization process at the beginning of 2021, but there have yet to be any results. According to SBC News, the Office of President Mirziyoyev notified national media that the decree was no longer valid and betting is still prohibited in Uzbekistan.

Which are the best sports betting platforms in Uzbekistan?

Although providing online betting markets to Uzbekistan is illegal, several foreign companies still do it. There are many sites to choose from, but you must confirm from the terms and conditions that they support Uzbekistan players.

Here is our list of online sportsbooks that allow access to Uzbekistan players.

1XBET

1xBet is an impressive international bookmarker that provides one of the most comprehensive online betting sites. It covers more than 40 languages and tons of payment methods, including Bitcoin.

Players can enjoy their range of promotions with great sports coverage. It also has iOS, Windows, and Android apps, making it more user-friendly.

22BET

22Bet is an online bookmarker that claims to deliver a secure and reliable betting platform to its customers, including those in Uzbekistan. It has more than one thousand sports events, providing you with a wide variety of great odds.

It also offers a selection of payment methods, making it easier for players to deposit and withdraw cash. In addition, it has a mobile-friendly website and app compatible with iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows.

BetWinner

This bookmarker has an excellent reputation due to its mobile-friendly website and application. It offers a wide range of languages, currencies, and payment methods. It also allows secure play for Uzbeks with an incredible selection of sports and live casino games.

One of the perks of the lack of market regulation is there is no taxation of your online winning. However, it’s important to know that there is no protection by the legislation in case of a dispute with an online bookie. Issues can arise even with reputable bookies, but it’s best to do your research and use a well-established bookie.

Key guidelines on how to use online sports betting sites in Uzbekistan

Even though online betting is illegal in Uzbekistan, you can still access reputable international bookies from the comfort of your mobile phone, tablet, or PC. The Uzbek government has yet to block international bookmakers actively.

Here are a few tips you can use to help you choose and bet safely using international online betting sites from Uzbekistan.

Do your research

You need to do your due diligence when choosing a foreign bookie. Ensure it’s a reputable site with good reviews from locals. Go through their terms and conditions and reviews to ensure it’s safe to use in Uzbekistan. Some corrupt sites may allow you to deposit money and then freeze your account if you’re from a restricted country.

Several legit international sports bookies allow Uzbekistan players, but it’s rare to find a betting site that offers Uzbek translation or wagers in UZS. But the locals can look for online bookmarkers supporting either the Turkish or Russian language and make payments in Euros or US dollars.

Choose a safe payment method

The standard payment methods are credit and debit cards, but avoiding them is best since gambling is prohibited. A few sites may allow you to deposit in UZS and change it to your desired currency, but you may lose little of your money’s value. On the other hand, wallets and Crypto payments are safer and offer faster transactions.

Unfortunately, online wallets are illegal in Uzbekistan, which may help reduce currency conversions if you use several bookies. You can use WebMoney. It’s an online payment method that works as an e-wallet. It keeps a central wallet online, which you can fund for deposits and withdrawals to your betting account.

Conclusion

With the current rumors of lifting the gambling laws, all forms of gambling except lottery are still banned in Uzbekistan. Fortunately, the government doesn’t block online betting sites. Therefore, you can still place safe bets through international betting sites supporting Uzbek customers.

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