Landlocked Kazakhstan has remained a mystery to the western traveler for centuries, unknown from the pages of Marco Polo or Kipling. A handful of outsiders have acquainted themselves with the appeal of this central Asian country, apart from the merchants who plied the Silk Road. Yet, considering that Kazakhstan achieved its independence in 1991 and notably under the insightful and unselfish presidency of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the country has progressed. As the nation flourishes, so do Kazakhstan casinos. Flushed with oil capital, it’s boom time in the gambling enterprises of this long ago soviet republic. There are 7 cities that have within them legal casino facilities of which there are precisely twenty-eight such places. Certainly if you are aspiring for a bet, the tables are the only game in town, as Kazakhstan casinos are the only gaming operations enabled there.
Most celebrated to the constant gamer must be the previous capital and of course grandest city in the region, Almaty, that convincing Las Vegas of central Asia, exhibiting no less than eighteen casinos and counting. With a soaring nine percent increase per annum, the Kazakh economy has extended exceptionally in the last decade and with it the Kazakh aspiration for the betting tables. The cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic, multinational city of Almaty is not recognizable from its preceding period as the chief city of a grey Soviet satellite state. New wealth has brought glamor along with thrill to the place, a fact best embodied by the city’s biggest casino, Casino Viva. One of a chain, this fabulous Kazakhstan casino hotel can exhibit twenty-six games tables and ninety-three slot machine games.
What’s more, the frenzy for cyber poker has not gone neglected in Kazakhstan casinos with the advancement of video poker swiftly becoming a favorite. Outside of Almaty, the fearless contender is also served; for example, the capital Astana has five casinos, the premium one among them being one of the Casino Zodiak chain that enjoys absolutely no less than 20 card tables. If that isn’t actually enough for individuals, casinos are also found further afield in the cities of Aktobe, Kokshetau, Pavlodar, Shimkent, and Ust-kamenogorsk. It is clear, then, that the Kazakh favoritism for the green baize and clink of chips is not stated, given that the vice-foreign minister a short time ago went to Macao and also Hong Kong. The visit was reported to be a "short but fruitful" trip devised to study the wagering industries of these towns and impel preference in Kazakhstan’s nascent casino industry. In fact, a probable direct air link has been touted between Almaty and Hong Kong or Macao, which should boost willingness for this once charismatic place soon set to become the choice of the cream of society.