[ English ]

Landlocked Kazakhstan has been left a mystery to the western traveler for ages, unknown from the pages of Marco Polo or Kipling. A handful of outsiders have experienced the attraction of this central Asian country, besides the merchandisers who plied the Silk Road. Nevertheless, since Kazakhstan gained its independence in 1991 and specifically under the intelligent and favorable presidency of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the country has flourished. As the nation flourishes, so do Kazakhstan casinos. Flushed with oil revenue, it’s boom time in the wagering establishments of this prior soviet republic. There are seven cities that have amid them legal casino capacities of which there are exactly twenty eight such venues. Certainly if you are passionate for a gamble, the tables are the only game in town, as Kazakhstan casinos are the only gambling operations authorized there.

Most distinguished to the dedicated gamer must be the former capital and of course colossal city in the country, Almaty, that believable Las Vegas of central Asia, showing off not less than eighteen casinos and counting. With a climbing 9 per cent development per year, the Kazakh economy has developed enormously in the last decade and with it the Kazakh craze for the gaming tables. The cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic, multinational city of Almaty is not recognizable from its prior existence as the central city of a grey Soviet satellite state. New wealth has brought refinement and of course thrill to the place, a fact best embodied by the city’s biggest casino, Casino Viva. One of a chain, this exceptional Kazakhstan casino hotel can maintain twenty-six games tables and 93 coin-operated machines.

What’s more, the frenzy for on-line poker has not gone unnoticed in Kazakhstan casinos with the advancement of video poker fast becoming a favorite. Outside of Almaty, the intrepid gamer is also served; for e.g., the capital Astana has 5 casinos, the chief one among them being one of the Casino Zodiak chain that delights in in no way less than 20 card tables. If that isn’t enough for you, casinos are also to be found further afield in the cities of Aktobe, Kokshetau, Pavlodar, Shimkent, as well as Ust-kamenogorsk. It is very obvious, in any case, that the Kazakh favoritism for the green baize and clink of chips isn’t stated, because the vice-foreign minister in recent times went to Macao as well as Hong Kong. The visit was considered to be a "short but fruitful" trip created to study the gambling industries of these towns and arouse appeal in Kazakhstan’s nascent casino industry. In fact, a probable direct air link has been credited between Almaty and Hong Kong or Macao, which would boost willingness for this once alluring place soon set to become the favorite of the cream of society.