Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov held a reporting meeting with residents of the Abai region. The meeting was attended by activists, citizens of the region, media representatives, heads of regional sports federations, tourism entrepreneurs and athletes.
During the meeting, Erbol Myrzabosynov spoke about the current work of the ministry, reforms in the field of tourism, sports and gambling, and also presented plans for the future.
To date, the number of citizens systematically engaged in physical education and sports has increased by 510 thousand and reached 8 million people, which is 40.4% of the country's population. 3 million people play sports in rural areas. In the Abai region, this figure is 41.8%, or 249,000 people, of which more than 24,000 are children and adolescents (12.8%).
"The expansion of sports infrastructure at the local level, including rural settlements, continues through the construction of modular rapidly erected sports facilities. Sports and recreation complexes have been put into operation in the villages of Aksuat, Kainar and Shulbinsk, and a swimming pool of a children's and youth sports school has been opened in the Urjar district. At the expense of sponsorship funds, the Alem sports complex and the BURA martial arts hall were built in the city of Semey. Within the framework of the Auyl – el Besigi program, the construction of a sports and recreation complex in the village of Borodulikha and a sports module in the village of Taskesken has been completed," said Erbol Myrzabosynov.
The Ministry has developed a draft law "On amendments and additions to the issues of physical culture and sports," which was approved by the Mazhilis in the first reading. As part of the implementation of the digital platform for physical culture and sports (E-Sport), the Ministry plans to launch three main modules in a pilot mode: a unified database of passports of athletes, coaches, referees and methodologists, an "electronic calendar" of events and a register of facilities.
The Minister noted that it is necessary to make full use of the country's unique nature, rich cultural heritage and tourism potential. Major investment projects in the tourism sector are being implemented in the region, including the construction of the four-star Ibis Elimai Semey Hotel, the Silkway Hotel, tourist facilities, the ethnic village and the Eastwood Resort hotel. In the resort area of Lake Alakol, work is underway to reconstruct roads of national and regional significance, and it is also planned to strengthen the coastline.
Erbol Myrzabosynov also spoke about measures to combat illegal gambling and ludomania.
On May 31 of this year, a comprehensive plan for 2024-2026 to combat illegal gambling and ludomania was approved. Measures will be introduced to license the import of slot machines and lottery terminals, restrict the advertising of illegal gambling and provide online support to ludomaniacs and their loved ones. It is planned to reduce the number of citizens who regularly participate in gambling and betting from 350,000 to 200,000 people.
The work on converting the gambling self-restriction service into a digital format has been completed. To date, more than 170,000 people have restricted their gambling through the eGov mobile app. Previously, citizens could set a limit of 6 to 12 months. This period has now been extended to 10 years.
After the reporting meeting, the Minister held a personal reception for citizens, answered their questions and listened to suggestions.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/tsm/press/news/details/905320