Is online gambling legal in Belarus?

Winnings are taxed at 5% on net winnings, withheld by the operator before you are paid. You can ask to self-exclude for six months to three years, and one request applies to all licensed operators.

Play only on sites licensed in Belarus; those have to follow its player-protection rules.

Online sports betting is legal on sites licensed in Belarus. Online casino is legal on sites licensed in Belarus. Online poker is legal on sites licensed in Belarus. The lottery is legal on sites licensed in Belarus.

Using a VPN to reach gambling sites from Belarus: Restricted.

Gambling with crypto: Restricted.

Online casino, sports betting: 21. Lottery: 18. Raised in 2019 to 21 for all forms except lottery.

Effective January 1, 2026, operators must withhold a 5% tax on net winnings (payout minus stake). This replaced the previous 4% rate and was the first increase in a decade.

There are approximately 8 licensed operators in Belarus as of 18 Jun 2026.

Always verify a casino holds a valid Ministry of Taxes and Duties of Belarus licence before depositing. Check the official register before signing up.

The official register of licensed sitesMinistry of Taxes and Duties of Belarus's website

Prominent operators in Belarus

If a site isn't on the regulator's licensee register, ask the regulator before you play: an unlisted site is usually not licensed here (a register can lag behind a new licence). An unlicensed site is outside the regulator's supervision, so you cannot complain to the regulator about it.

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  Verify the '.by' Domain

  All legally licensed online gambling sites in Belarus are required to operate on a local '.by' domain. If the site uses a generic '.com' or other international extension, it is not a locally licensed and regulated operator.

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  Check for Age Verification at 21

  Licensed operators must strictly enforce the minimum gambling age of 21. A legitimate site will have an identity and age verification process during registration.

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  Look for Responsible Gambling Tools

  Legal operators must provide players with the option to self-exclude for a period of six months to three years. Filing an exclusion request with one operator applies it to all licensed operators in the country.

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  Confirm Payment in Belarusian Rubles (BYN)

  Licensed domestic operators will transact primarily in the local currency, the Belarusian Ruble (BYN). Sites that exclusively push for deposits in foreign currency or crypto may be unlicensed.

What you can expect from a licensed site's offers in Belarus. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.

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1. 1

   1. Contact the Licensed Operator Directly

   The first step is to formally raise the issue (e.g., a disputed payout, incorrect settlement) with the customer support of the licensed Belarusian gambling site. Operators are required to have procedures for handling player complaints.

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   2. File a Complaint with the Ministry of Taxes and Duties

   If the operator fails to resolve the issue satisfactorily, a player can escalate the complaint to the regulatory body, the Ministry of Taxes and Duties. This would typically involve a formal written submission.

3. 3

   3. Legal Action

   The final recourse is to pursue the matter through the Belarusian court system. This would require legal counsel and initiating a civil lawsuit against the operator.

• Myth

  My winnings are taxed at 4%.
  Reality

  This is outdated. As of January 1, 2026, the income tax on net gambling winnings (payout minus stake) was increased to 5%. This amount is withheld directly by the licensed operator before you receive your payout.

• Myth

  I can use a VPN to play on any foreign casino safely.
  Reality

  While technically possible, it is against Belarusian law. The government actively blocks unlicensed websites, and recent decrees have empowered banks to block payments to and from these offshore operators, which makes it difficult to deposit or withdraw funds.

• Myth

  I can gamble online as long as I'm 18.
  Reality

  The legal age for all forms of gambling, including online casinos and sports betting, was raised to 21 in 2019. The only exception is for lotteries, where the age limit is 18.