[ English ]

Landlocked Kazakhstan has remained a mystery to the western traveler for centuries, unknown from the pages of Marco Polo or Kipling. A couple of outsiders have been enlightened on the charms of this central Asian country, besides the vendors who plied the Silk Road. Regardless, considering that Kazakhstan obtained its independence in 1991 and particularly under the clever and unselfish presidency of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the country has flourished. As the nation thrives, so do Kazakhstan casinos. Flushed with oil cash, it’s boom time in the wagering companies of this former soviet republic. There are seven cities that have amidst them legal casino faculties of which there are exactly 28 such spots. Certainly if you are eager for a bet, the tables are the only game in town, as Kazakhstan casinos are the only casino gambling operations at liberty there.

Most celebrated to the devoted bettor must be the one-time capital as well as the greatest city in the region, Almaty, that evident Las Vegas of central Asia, boasting no less than eighteen casinos and counting. With a soaring nine per cent enhancement every year, the Kazakh economy has extended excessively in the last decade and with it the Kazakh demand for the casino tables. The cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic, multinational city of Almaty is unrecognizable from its prior status as the key city of a grey Soviet satellite state. New wealth has brought style along with thrill to the place, a fact best embodied by the city’s biggest casino, Casino Viva. One of a chain, this fantastic Kazakhstan casino hotel can have 26 games tables and ninety three slot machines.

What’s more, the infatuation for on-line poker hasn’t gone overlooked in Kazakhstan casinos with the innovation of video poker hastily becoming a leading preference. Outside of Almaty, the high-spirited gamer is also served; for e.g., the capital Astana has 5 casinos, the key one in the midst of them being one of the Casino Zodiak chain that boasts definitely no less than 20 card tables. If that isn’t enough for persons, casinos are also to be found further afield in the cities of Aktobe, Kokshetau, Pavlodar, Shimkent, along with Ust-kamenogorsk. It is apparent, for that matter, that the Kazakh favoritism for the green baize and clink of chips is not stated, since the vice-foreign minister a short time ago visited Macao and also Hong Kong. The visit was considered to be a "short but fruitful" trip created to study the gaming resources of these towns and instigate interest in Kazakhstan’s nascent casino industry. As a matter of fact, a potential direct air link has been established between Almaty and Hong Kong or Macao, which should bolster willingness for this once beautiful region soon set to become the choice of the elite.