Russian President Tightens Gambling Rules
Russian President V.V. Putin has instructed the government to develop measures to tighten the rules for gambling. The Cabinet of Ministers must submit the relevant orders to the State Duma by the end of 2019. In this case, we are talking about some bookmakers, which today combine gambling and betting activities.
After the adoption of appropriate measures, bookmakers will be allowed to organize betting that is exclusively related to sports and entertainment events. Totalizators will be allowed only at hippodromes. In addition, bookmakers will soon be required to transfer targeted payments received from providing services to the gambling population to the fund for the development of mass sports. In the event of the refusal of bookmaker owners to make such transfers, punitive measures will be envisaged, up to and including the revocation of the bookmaker's license.
There is no talk yet about allowing online gambling in virtual casinos, despite the fact that some members of the government and deputies of the State Duma are in favor of legalizing this sphere of gambling. In their opinion, this will allow them to gain control over significant cash flows and replenish the state treasury with additional funds. Today, the online gambling industry in the Russian Federation is in a semi-legal position. On the one hand, it is prohibited to open licensed virtual casinos in the country, but on the other hand, gamblers are not prohibited from playing in European establishments. However, at their own risk.
In addition, taxes on winnings have not been cancelled either. According to the law, users are required to transfer taxes on each cash receipt received. Including winnings received in online casinos banned in the Russian Federation.
