Russia considers legalizing online casinos
The Russian Ministry of Finance is studying the possibility of legalizing online casinos. Legalizing online casinos could be done by analogy with the regulation of bookmaker activities, stated Ivan Chebeskov, a deputy minister of finance, to the state agency TASS.
Consensus
- The Russian Ministry of Finance is studying the possibility of legalizing online casinos.
- The potential legalization is being considered by analogy with the regulation of bookmakers.
- The Ministry of Finance is analyzing international practices of regulating online casinos.
- The goal is to generate significant budget revenue, estimated at around 100 billion rubles per year.
- Currently, online casinos are illegal in Russia, with gambling allowed only in designated zones since 2009.
- The Ministry continues efforts to combat illegal gambling advertising.
- The discussion took place at the Veron Eurasian Economic Forum.
- Ivan Chebeskov, Deputy Minister of Finance, is the primary source of these statements.
Points of divergence
- The Ministry of Finance has submitted a proposal to President Vladimir Putin regarding the legalization of online casinos, suggesting the creation of a special operator that would pay 30% of revenue to the budget. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- In January, the Ministry of Finance sent a letter to President Vladimir Putin with a proposal to legalize online casinos and create a special operator to collect 30% of revenue. — vm
- Approximately 150,000 Russians suffer from severe gambling addiction, and about 9 million people, or over 6% of the population, regularly play online casino games. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- Experts have warned about the negative consequences of legalizing online gambling, particularly its impact on mental health. — vm
- A law allowing Russians to self-exclude from gambling will come into effect in September 2026. — fontanka
Coverage (14 sources)
- Will online casinos become legal in Russia: expert analysis — Вечерняя Москва
- Ministry of Finance of Russia studies possibility of legalizing online casinos — ЭХО / Новости
- Ministry of Finance studies possibility of legalizing online casinos in Russia — РИАМО
- Ministry of Finance examines possibility of legalizing online casinos in RF by analogy with regulation of bookmaker activity, stated... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Due to budget deficit in Russia, online casinos may be legalized — The Moscow Times
- Online casinos may be legalized in Russia — the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation is considering this possibility. — Baza
- Ministry of Finance examines possibility of legalizing online casinos in RF by analogy with regulation of bookmaker activity, stated... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Online casinos may be legalized in Russia — Фонтанка
- Ministry of Finance studies possibility of legalizing online casinos in Russia — Вечерняя Москва
- Ministry of Finance considers legalizing online casinos on par with bookmakers in Russia — Коммерсантъ
- Ministry of Finance of Russia considers possibility of legalization of online casinos — Ведомости
- Online casinos in Russia may be allowed officially — Новости Москвы
- Online casinos may be legalized in Russia. — Первый Московский
- In Russia, legalization of online casinos is being studied — Вести