Russia intends to restart crackdown on internet-based gambling operations.
Taking Aim at Online Gambling: The Russian Crackdown
The Russian government is mulling over some tough new rules to put a stop to the rampant spread of online gambling. The proposed plans involve blocking gambling apps and sites, as well as clamping down on cryptocurrency-based transactions.
According to Evgeny Masharov, a member of the Russian Civic Chamber, a recent meeting sheds light on the issue - particularly the need to safeguard minors from the clutches of online gambling. Parents have sounded the alarm about kids getting access to gambling content, with the surge in gamified products making it all too easy for them.
Masharov cautions, "Gamification has become the new cool, with games becoming simpler and more accessible, attracting a whole new crowd. The legal betting market is struggling to keep up with its unscrupulous counterparts, who skirt around age and ID verification requirements."
A new government commission has been established to streamline communication between crucial state bodies. This powerhouse includes Roskomnadzor (the media regulator with the authority to shut down IPs), Rosfinmonitoring (the anti-money laundering agency), and the Central Bank, which is considering a ban on crypto-based gambling payments.
Though Russia allows retail betting shops, land-based casinos are limited to specific regions – Altai, Kaliningrad, Primorye, Sochi, and Crimea. Online gambling is allowed only for sports betting.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, well-known international operators like the UK's bet365 have abandoned the market. The ongoing sanctions have made it less appealing for regulated brands. Yet, the size of the market and scant competition from licensed operators continue to allure unlicensed ones.
As of now, the Russian government's approach to online gambling regulation seems somewhat unclear. A 2006 law banning online gambling is still technically in effect, but authorities have chosen to turn a blind eye to the operating Nexus of poker platforms like PokerStars, partypoker, 888poker, and Bet365. The legal gambling age is 18[1].
Recent inter-agency cooperation to restrict online gambling or cryptocurrency payments in the sector seems scarce[2]. No mentions of crypto payment restrictions related to gambling, nor crackdowns by financial regulators or law enforcement agencies are written in the fine print.
On the global front, the UK Gambling Commission's April 2025 guidance references compliance with Russia-related financial sanctions[3]. Meanwhile, Bulgaria recently introduced a near-total gambling ad ban (April 2025) - a stark contrast to Russia's current approach[5].
Local tech platforms like Telegram face fines for other regulatory violations[2], but no gambling-specific enforcement actions are documented. The Softline Group's Russian business restructuring[2] appears unrelated to gambling regulation.
All in all, it appears that Russia's approach to online gambling regulation remains in limbo - with no key legislative changes seen so far[4]. The situation mostly reflects an ongoing enforcement gap rather than new restrictions. Keep an eye on the developments streaming in the Russian gambling landscape.
- Evgeny Masharov asserted that the rise of sports betting, gambling, and casino-and-gambling applications, which are becoming simpler and more accessible, necessitates stricter regulations to protect minors.
- The Russian government's proposed crackdown on online gambling includes blocking gambling apps and sites, as well as restrictions on cryptocurrency-based transactions, aiming to reduce the scope of illegal gambling activities.
- A new commission, comprising Roskomnadzor, Rosfinmonitoring, and the Central Bank, has been established to enforce sanctions on unlicensed gambling operations and regulate finance-related transactions in the online gambling sector.
- Despite the 2006 ban on online gambling technically still in effect, an ongoing enforcement gap exists, as authorities have not yet implemented consistent measures to ban unlicensed sports betting platforms like PokerStars, partypoker, 888poker, and Bet365, leading to a potentially risky environment for both consumers and the finance sector.
