Russia tightens controls on online gambling
The Russian government has enacted a new law to facilitate the blocking of illegal gambling and lottery websites.
Russia.- The government has passed a new law to expand powers to block illegal gambling and lottery websites.
The new law prohibits banks, payment agents and telecom operators from entering into agreements with illegal gaming operators. The Federal Tax Service (FTS) will have the power to block sites without prior judicial approval for specific enforcement actions.
The FTS will also publish a blacklist of illegal gambling websites and a list of payment service providers making transfers for such sites.
It comes as Russia advances with gambling regulation. In November, legislators voted on a bill to establish a single gambling regulator for the whole of the Russian Federation.
One of the main gaming hubs in Russia is the Primorye Economic Zone. Officials plan to develop 12 casino complexes there despite slow progress amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Until late last year, the only casino operating in the area was Summit Ascent’s Tigre de Cristal.
Shambhala Casino was the second casino to open in Russia’s Primorye Economic Zone. This week it published an analysis of its first 2.5 months in operation after its soft launch in October.
