Uzbekistan Warns of Illegal Betting Ads Surge Ahead of World Cup 2026

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan's authorities have raised the alarm over a surge in illegal online advertising for bookmaker platforms and gambling services, timed to exploit public interest in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The promotions are circulating across social media networks, websites, and Telegram, according to UzDaily.uz.

Regulators note that individuals behind the campaigns are leveraging heightened enthusiasm for the major sporting event to lure citizens onto betting platforms, promising fast income and guaranteed winnings from risk-based games.

The legal position is unambiguous. Under Article 46 of Uzbekistan's Law on Advertising, all promotion of gambling services — including those distributed via telecommunications networks and the internet — is explicitly prohibited. Authorities stress that creating, placing, distributing, or popularizing such advertising carries legal liability under current legislation.

Critically, regulators issued a pointed warning to those operating behind digital anonymity: the use of anonymous accounts, pseudonyms, or foreign digital platforms does not exempt violators from accountability under Uzbek law.

The Competition Committee has confirmed it is actively monitoring online resources and social media platforms for advertising law violations. Where breaches are identified, materials are referred to authorized agencies — including the cybersecurity units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs — for enforcement action.

Citizens were urged to treat unsolicited gambling promotions with skepticism, refrain from sharing such content, and report suspected violations to the relevant authorities.

The warning reflects a broader pattern seen across Central Asia and beyond, where major sporting events — particularly the World Cup — routinely trigger spikes in unlicensed gambling promotion targeting populations in jurisdictions where such advertising is restricted or banned outright.