MP Vugar Bayramov, a member of the Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Committee, highlighted that the global casino industry is projected to generate $745bn a year by 2028.

On the other side of the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan already has a gambling industry, and regulated gambling in Uzbekistan will launch this year,

Supporters of casino legislation have stressed the potential economic benefits,

ending a ban on gambling imposed by the then president Islam Karimov in 2007. Meanwhile,

pointing to revenue generated by gambling in neighbouring countries.

the United Arab Emirates is on track to introduce integrated resorts.