Russia toughens up sanctions on unlicensed online gambling
Prison sentences and fines announced in new gambling bill
The Russian State Duma has completed its third and final reading of a bill which introduces heavy fines and prison sentences for organisations offering unlicensed egaming to Russian consumers.
For the first time in Russian law, unlicensed egaming would be potentially liable for criminal prosecution.
The bill is predominantly aimed at the land-based sector and protecting the Russian gambling zones of Primorye Krai, Krasnodar Krai, Kaliningrad Oblast and Altai Krai from unlicensed land-based gambling businesses.
However, the language if the bill also includes the provision of gambling related services being offered outside the zones “using information and telecommunication networks, including the internet or communications including mobile communication.”
The bill now passes to the upper chamber of the Russian government, the Federation Council for consideration before it can pass into law.
Under the provisions of the bill, individuals found to be providing these services are liable for a fine of up to 500,000 roubles (£6,035) and a prison term of two years.
Business or groups found to be providing unlicensed egaming services could face a fine of up to 1,000,000 (£12,000) and prison terms of up to four years.
Russia’s egaming regulations are among some of the most stringent in the world with Russian telecommunications regulator Roskomnadzor enforcing a blacklisting approach, under which Russian banks and ISP operators are required to bar access and stop any payments being made to online bookmakers with foreign IP addresses.
Russia only has six licensed online betting operators: Liga Stavok, Winline, 888.ru, 1XBet, Leon.ru and BKfon.ru all of which have agreed to comply with all Roskomnadzor provisions and government regulations.