Kazakhstan's sizable Russian-speaking population ties the former Soviet country to its northern neighbor — the Russian Federation. The gambling laws in these two countries are also very similar: casinos and slot machines are legal in a limited capacity, confined to the special gambling zones of Kapchagay and Shchuchinsk. The online market isn't altogether outlawed, but it's not part of the licensing framework. Effectively, this means that there is no legal way to launch an online casino in Kazakhstan, but it's not against the law to play on a foreign site. Previously, neither sports betting nor parimutuel betting were restricted to the designated gambling zones (another similarity with the Russian legislation), but starting from January 4, 2021, this has changed. Recent amendments to Law No. 356-VI entered into force, moving the bookmakers to the designated zones, and introducing the unified registration center for bets that all of the wagers must go through. While heavily restricted, the fact that gambling is legal at all sets Kazakhstan apart from neighboring Central Asian countries like Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, all of which prohibit gambling completely. This positions Kazakhstan as a gambling oasis in the midst of other Muslim countries where there is demand, but no supply.

Kyrgyzstan is aware of potential income from the gambling industry and its influence on tourism and is experimenting with limited regulation. The bill "On Gambling in the Kyrgyz Republic" suggesting legalization of gambling establishments and online gambling land-based zones, passed in 2022. Land-based casinos must be located in hotel and restaurants, slot halls must be located in separate buildings and must contain at least 30 slot machines. Only foreign citizens are allowed to play in new casinos, and locals enjoy a huge black market. They like football, wrestling, boxing, ice hockey, and horse racing. There's also a growing interest in rugby.