The Finance Committee of Kyrgyzstan’s Jogorku Kenesh approved a bill in its first reading that criminalizes the organization of binary options and tightens rules for online lotteries. The document aims to protect retail investors from high-risk instruments and block money laundering channels.
Kyrgyzstan’s Financial Market Regulation and Supervision Service (FSA) drafted the proposed amendments to gambling and lottery legislation. The relevant parliamentary committee reviewed and approved the document on September 15, 2026.
The main change concerns binary options. The bill establishes a direct ban on any activity related to this instrument. Organizing trades, advertising, promotion, and mediation will become illegal. Platforms and individuals will be prohibited from accepting fiat money and virtual assets from Kyrgyz citizens and residents for participation in such transactions.
The second part of the document regulates the digital giveaway market. The bill amends the country’s Criminal Code. Organizing binary options will be directly equated to illegal gambling. A separate provision will introduce criminal liability for conducting lotteries without regulatory approval. This covers cases where organizers use digital platforms and information and communication technologies.
The Financial Market Regulation and Supervision Service notes that the amendments aim to reduce fraud. The document should also limit the use of digital giveaways for money laundering and terrorist financing.
The regulator is isolating retail investors from speculative, casino-like instruments through direct criminal prosecution.
To take effect, the law must pass two more readings in parliament and receive the president’s signature.