Russia gets ready for the World Cup
The 2018 FIFA World Cup is less than six months away, and Russia is seeking to make online gambling easier to access.
Russia.- In Russia, online betting punters are required to register online with a centralised payment hub (TSUPIS) before completing registration by presenting proof of identity physically at a land-based shop. However, with the 2018 FIFA World Cup less than six months away, the Russian government is looking to make online sports betting easier to access.
A draft legislation introduced by the Ministry of Finance seeks to eliminate said requirements and states that local bookmakers have “the right to entrust the identification of a gambling participant to the centre for the recording of online betting of bookmakers or sweepstakes, operating in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Law of December 29 2006 No. 244-FZ.”
Fourteen representatives from each licensed online bookmaker voiced their frustration with the process during a meeting with the government, and it seems they have been successful.
The move follows a meeting earlier this week between government officials and representatives of Russia’s 14 licensed online bookmakers, who expressed frustration with the two-step registration process. According to them, this action not only makes an awkward registration, but it also drives gamblers to internationally-licensed websites that get all the bets for themselves.
