The Russian government is reportedly considering stricter measures to crack down on online gambling. Proposed steps include blocking gambling apps and websites, as well as restricting cryptocurrency-based payments.
Evgeny Masharov, a member of the Russian Civic Chamber, told state news agency TASS that a recent meeting addressed the issue—particularly the need to protect minors from online gambling. Parents have raised concerns about children gaining access to gambling content, especially with the rise of gamified products.
Masharov said:
Gamification has become a trend, with the simplicity and accessibility of games drawing in new users. The legal betting market struggles to compete with illegal operators, who bypass ID and age verification requirements.
A new government commission has been formed to improve coordination between key state bodies: Roskomnadzor (the media watchdog with authority to block IPs), Rosfinmonitoring (the anti-money laundering agency), and the Central Bank, which is exploring a ban on crypto-based gambling payments.
While Russia allows retail betting shops, land-based casinos are confined to specific regions—Altai, Kaliningrad, Primorye, Sochi, and Crimea. Online gambling is limited to sports betting.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, major international operators like the UK’s bet365 exited the market. Ongoing sanctions have further reduced its appeal to regulated brands. However, the size of the market and the limited legal competition continue to attract unlicensed operators.
