Kazakhstan Limits Gambling to Two Locations

As of January, all of the country's casinos, roulette tables, bookmakers and amusement arcades had to pack up to operate in the new sites.

In an effort to fight Kazakhstan's gambling frenzy, the country is moving its gambling halls and casinos to just two lakeside towns. Since January, all of the country's casinos, roulette tables, bookmakers and amusement arcades had close down and move to operate in the new sites.

Even though the government's measure took effect January 1, the construction on both locations is far from finished. The new gambling venues outside of Astana and Almaty have been called the Las Vegas of Central Asia and while objections are not voiced, there is wide disapproval of the act.

There are more than 2,000 gambling halls in the country, which is almost the same number as in the United States, even though Kazakhstan's population is 20 times smaller.

Kazakhstan's finance minister said the move will assist in fighting the destructive effects of what she referred to as the country's gambling mania.

Russia has lately taken a similar action and sanctioned four gambling areas in the country in which gambling is legal.