Euroslot_Jan09_p56_57:Euroslot_Jan09_p56_57 02/01/2009 09:26 Page 57
www.euroslot-online.com MARKET REPORT INTERVIEW
Taking advantage of legislative loopholes – the new law does not explicitly Las Vegas – was signed. They visited Kazakhstan twice and on 30 November are
prohibit games without cash prizes – some operators have not moved the slot supposed to present the business plan.” On 6 July, the Kazakh government
machines to the gaming zones but pay out non cash prizes instead, say in the signed the protocol of intent on developing the international tourist centre on the
form of consumer goods: mobile phone pay cards, etc. Nevertheless, these shore of Kapchagai reservoir in Almatinsk region. The protocol was signed by RK
loopholes are under revision; in September 2008 a new law draft was presented Sport and Tourism Minister Temirkhan Dosmukhambetov and Marc Adventon
to the Parliament, and operators are most likely to be confined with their business Chairman of Directors Board of Eighth Wonder International Limited.
to these two gaming zones. According to the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, on the shore of Kapchagai
E: What other gaming activities are popular in Kazakhstan? reservoir they plan to develop an international tourist centre which will consist of
LL: After the law came into force many analytics predicted a rocketing of the golf courses, conference hall, restaurants, entertainment centers, shopping malls
instant lottery business. The largest Kazakh lottery operator is “National Lottery and sport venues.
RK”. Indeed, at first, some growth could be noticed but later the interest subsided. “The development will be realized in three stages. The first stage is planned for
It can be explained by the absolutely different nature of emotions and the game a one-year run, the second for three years, the third stage is for 10 years,” said
itself. From the very beginning, instant lotteries have been popular with people the Sport and Tourism Minister. According to him within first year it is planned to
with low incomes while casinos appeal to those with a higher income. complete the design work, the construction itself will begin in the following years.
Online casinos are expressly prohibited by the legislation, though despite the According to the Ministry, Eighth Wonder International Limited will invest more
ban, there are still some illegal Kazakh online casinos. than $3 bln on the first stage of development.
Bingo is regulated in the same way as lotteries and does not make a E: How are Kazakh gamblers reacting to such conditions?
considerable part of gambling in Kazakhstan. LL: As we said before after the law came into force, many casino didn’t stop
The only totalizator in Kazakhstan is in Almaty. Races take place only once a operating, just went underground operating in the black market for their regular,
month, or once every two months, gambling activity being rather seasonal (May is “closed circle” clients. Many owners of Kazakh casinos decided to move the
the peak month). gambling venues not to Kapchagai but to the capital of nearby Kyrgyzstan,
Betting shops are rather popular in country, there are currently 53 betting Bishkek. Thus, the owners of Kyrgyz casinos flooded Kazakh gamblers profited
shops in Kazakhstan. The main betting operators are Gol+Pass and Olymp. from this situation greatly. Every week, Kazakhstan looses hundreds of thousands
here are several Kazakh online poker websites operating, however, the demand of dollars which Kazakh gamblers leave in Bishkek casinos and millions of Tenges
is low. as taxes that could be paid by owners of Kazakh casinos to the local budget.
E: What about the development of the gambling zones? E: Is the Kazakh market interesting for Alsart? Are you considering entering
LL: Currently there are two casinos built in Kapchagai. According to our this market?
information another two casinos are being built there. LL: We consider Kazakhstan market as a market with a huge potential. To
The development in Schuchinsk will begin in March 2009. According to Kazakh prove our serious intentions we have opened a representative office in
Vice Minister for Tourism and Sports, Kairbek Uskenbayev: “The main part of the Kazakhstan, to be ready for the peak in demand for gaming equipment during the
work is done, all the necessary infrastructure like power supply, heating and water next few years. We offer equipment for bingo halls, betting shops and we sell and
supply, sewerage are planned in the Budget. ” lease slot machines.
He added that the location of zones are defined and the business plan is ready. Moreover, Alsart Group is considering the investments in the Kazakh gaming
Speaking of Kapchagai zone, Mr. Uskenbayev said: “In summer 2008 the zones, in 2009 we plan to open a chain of bingo and betting shops with an
memorandum with Eighth Wonder – American owner of the biggest casinos in average space of 50-200 sq m, joined with sport bars.
Cosmopolitan Russia
JANUARY 2009
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