🇷🇺For operators · Tax, marketing & compliance
Operating in Russia: sports betting only, 7% tax
Online casino and poker are illegal, but legalization is under review. Legal sports betting is state-routed via ETSUPIS, and land-based casinos are confined to six zones. As of 2026, operators pay a GGR tax. A national self-exclusion system launches in September 2026.
OverviewOverview built from public sources. An in-depth review of Russia is available on request. Request it
Product by product
| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| Online betting · Lottery | Licensed |
| Online casino · Online poker | Banned |
Regulator and player protection in Russia
Regulator
Application authority and enforcement body
Self-exclusion scheme
National Self-Exclusion Register
How players exclude themselves; what it covers is in the player guide
Mandatory RG controls
No limit imposed on players
Deposit limits or reality checks the law requires operators to offer
Advertising stance
Limited
Whether you can run TV / sponsorship / paid-social campaigns
Which casinos & betting sites are licensed in Russia?
See the full official list of licensed operators and their authorised domains.
Heads-up for operators
3 items · last change 8 Oct 2026
A Ministry of Finance proposal to lift the 2009 ban on online casinos was still being worked on as of 28 January 2026, according to the Kremlin spokesman. No bill is recorded in the State Duma, and online casinos remain illegal.
National Self-Exclusion Register becomes effective
The mandatory system for players to self-exclude from all licensed operators via the Gosuslugi portal is scheduled to launch.
Source: 1
Ministry of Finance proposes legalizing online casinos
The Finance Ministry formally proposed lifting the 2009 ban on online casinos to increase state revenue, suggesting a 30% tax on profits.
Source: 2
Not yet in force: drafts, laws adopted without a start date, and sections of the law still to be commenced. An item moves to the timeline below on the day it takes effect.
Licence Types in Russia
3 licence types are listed for Russia; each says who issues it and what it covers.
| Licence | Regulator | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookmaker / Totalisator Licence | Federal Tax Service | Indefinite | Covers land-based and online sports betting. All online transactions must be processed via ETSUPIS. |
| Casino / Slot Hall Licence | Regional Authorities within Gambling Zones | Indefinite | Restricted to operation within one of the six designated gambling zones. Requires significant minimum capital. |
| State Lottery Operator | Ministry of Finance / Ministry of Sports | State Monopoly | All private lotteries are banned; only state-run lotteries are permitted. The primary operator is Stoloto. |
Licensing model
Russia's model has two quirks: 1) All online sports betting payments are monopolized by a single state-mandated gateway, ETSUPIS, for total financial oversight. 2) Land-based casinos are banned nationwide except within a handful of geographically isolated 'gambling zones'.
Gambling tax: 7% of GGR
Detail
Effective January 1, 2026, a major tax reform replaced the fixed-fee system for bookmakers. Licensed bookmakers and totalisators are now subject to a 7% tax on GGR, a standard 25% corporate profit tax, and mandatory sports contributions.
Land-based casinos pay a fixed monthly tax per device (e.g., RUB 250,000 per gaming table).
Russia's gambling tax next to neighbours and nearby markets
Each bar is the headline operator tax as that country's own page states it, for Russia, its neighbours and the nearest other market (marked “nearby”) that tax gross gaming revenue or sports-betting stakes. Hover or tap a bar to see what it is made of; a tax on stakes is drawn at its weight against revenue.
Year-1 cost: fee schedule not yet published
The main costs for entering the Russian market are significant capital requirements, technical integration, and ongoing tax obligations rather than simple application fees.
| Line item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online Sports Betting Licence | no published fee schedule Source3 | No specific application fee is published. Operators must demonstrate net assets of at least RUB 100 million and obtain a significant bank guarantee. |
| Land-Based Casino Licence | no published fee schedule Source3 | No specific application fee is published. Operators must have net assets of at least RUB 600 million. Licences are restricted to designated gambling zones. |
| Lottery Licence | State monopoly | No commercial licence available. |
| Technical Integration Cost (ETSUPIS) | Variable | Significant one-time cost to integrate betting platforms with the mandatory ETSUPIS payment gateway. |
| Operator GGR Tax | 7% of GGR + 25% Corporate Profit Tax Source4 | Applies to licensed bookmakers and totalisators. |
| Local Compliance + Counsel | Variable, significant annual cost | Includes costs for legal counsel, AML/KYC compliance, and adherence to data localisation laws. |
Year 1 estimate
Year 1 cannot be totalled: gov fee schedule not published
The primary barrier to entry is the substantial capital requirement (RUB 100M+ for sports betting).
Which foreign licences Russia accepts
Russia recognises none of these 8 foreign licences.
BannedMalta (MGA)
All foreign-issued online gambling licences are illegal. Sites are actively blocked by the state telecommunications regulator, Roskomnadzor.
United Kingdom (UKGC)
UK-licensed sites are not permitted to operate in Russia and are subject to DNS blocking by Roskomnadzor.
Curaçao (CGB)
A common licence for offshore operators targeting Russia, these sites are a primary target for Roskomnadzor's blocklist.
Alderney (AGCC) · Kahnawake (KGC) · Anjouan · Isle of Man (GSC) · Gibraltar (GRA)
Blocked by Roskomnadzor as an unlicensed foreign operator.
Bonus rules: welcome bonuses restricted
Inducement ads: Channel-restricted
Bonus and promotion regulations are primarily governed by the Federal Law "On Advertising" and Federal Law No. 244-FZ. The framework focuses on restricting advertising content and combating illegal operations rather than detailing specific bonus structures for licensed operators.
What the player can claim
- Welcome bonus
- Restricted
- Online casinos
- Online poker
The legality of specific bonus types for permitted online sports betting is not clearly defined in statutes, as regulatory focus has been on advertising content and the legality of the underlying gambling activity.
What the operator can advertise
- Channels off-limits
- Information resources of undesirable foreign/international organizations (from Sep 2025)
- Social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn (from Sep 2025)
- Time-based restrictions on television and radio
- Messages ads may not give
- Content addressed to minors
- Creating the impression that gambling is a way to earn income or that winnings are guaranteed
- Overstating the chances of winning or understating the risk of losing
- Claiming participation is important for achieving social success
- Criticizing non-participation in gambling
- Using images of humans or animals
- Penalties
Fines for general advertising violations range from RUB 100,000 to RUB 500,000. Advertising illegal online casinos can incur fines up to RUB 7,000,000. Violating the self-exclusion promo ban can result in fines from RUB 50,000 to RUB 100,000 for legal entities.
From March 1, 2026, the use of foreign words in advertising is prohibited if a Russian equivalent exists. Any foreign text must be secondary to Russian text.
Advertising: limited
Online casino advertising is comprehensively banned in Russia, while licensed domestic sports betting operators are permitted to advertise under significant restrictions. New laws taking effect September 1, 2026, will mandate prominent warnings about gambling addiction in all advertisements and prohibit marketing to individuals on the national self-exclusion register.
| Channel | Status | Vertical & Platform Split (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Ads | Licensed operators only | Google certification is only available to licensed domestic sports betting operators, who can bid on related terms while casino keywords are blocked. As of March 2026, advertisers must demonstrate “good policy health” and own their domain to maintain certification.1011 |
| App Store Publishing | Licensed operators only | Apple requires developers to hold all necessary licenses, while Google Play does not list Russia as a permitted country for real-money gambling apps. As of April 2026, suspended payment processing in Russia creates significant operational barriers for any apps with monetization.121314 |
| Google/Apple App Store Ads | Banned | Advertising real-money gambling apps is prohibited on both Apple Search Ads and Google App Campaigns in the region. This ban applies to both online casino and licensed sportsbook apps, and regional payment processing issues compound it.1516 |
| Meta (FB/IG) | Restricted | Meta requires prior written permission for real-money gambling ads, granted only to licensed sports betting operators targeting users 18+. As of March 2026, Russia's Federal Anti-Monopoly Service has declared that advertising on restricted platforms like Facebook and Instagram violates national laws.171819 |
| TV & Radio | Restricted | Licensed bookmaker ads are confined to sports broadcasts and venues, while online casino ads are banned. A law effective September 1, 2026, mandates addiction warnings lasting at least 5 seconds on TV (occupying 7% of the frame) and 3 seconds on radio.2021 |
| Sponsorships | Allowed | Licensed sports betting operators can legally sponsor Russian sports teams, leagues, and stadiums, which remains a key marketing channel. Sponsorship by unlicensed online casinos is illegal.2223 |
| Digital OOH | Restricted | Digital OOH for licensed bookmakers is restricted to areas near betting shops or stadiums and is banned near schools. As of September 1, 2026, these ads must dedicate at least 7% of their space to a gambling addiction warning.2123 |
Channel rules for Russia reflect each platform's published policy and the sources numbered in each row (listed under Methodology & sources). Verify with the local regulator and your ad-platform account manager before launching.
How Russia enforces against unlicensed operators
Russian authorities, led by Roskomnadzor and the Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI), pursue unlicensed operators with high intensity. Enforcement is systematic and focuses on financial disruption and access denial. The state has firm control over internet infrastructure and payment flows.
- Systematic ISP Blocking: Roskomnadzor maintains an active and extensive blacklist of gambling domains, which ISPs are required to block.
- Accelerated Blocking Procedures (April 2026): New legislation is advancing to reduce the time it takes to add an illegal site to the blocklist from five days to just 48 hours.
- Payment and Crypto Blocking: Authorities are actively working to disrupt financial flows to unlicensed operators, including targeting cryptocurrency payment channels.
- Criminal Prosecutions: Domestic organizers of illegal gambling face criminal proceedings and prison sentences.
Sources24
Enforcement cases in Russia: 5 recent
Material regulator actions, court rulings, and high-profile fines from 2016–2026 against operators serving Russia. Each entry includes the technical failure and a one-line read-across for other operators in the market.
- April 2026
Offshore Operators (Unlicensed)
Grey-MarketInjunctionA new law was passed to reduce the timeframe for blocking illegal online casino and gambling websites from five days to 48 hours.
Read-across: This legislative change significantly shortens the operational window for unlicensed sites. It increases pressure on their business model and reinforces the state's control over the digital gambling environment.
- February 2026
Unnamed Individuals
Grey-MarketCriminal proceedingsSixteen members of an illegal casino network in Vladivostok received prison sentences for organizing large-scale illegal gambling operations.
Read-across: This shows that Russian enforcement against illegal gambling is not limited to website blocking and includes significant criminal penalties for individuals who organise such activities.
- December 2025
All Licensed Operators
RGNew ObligationRussia's parliament passed a law to create a mandatory national self-exclusion register, which will become effective in September 2026.
Read-across: Operators must integrate with the central system run by the Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI) to block registered individuals. They face fines for non-compliance, and their responsible gambling procedures change as a result.
- April 2025
Offshore Operators (Unlicensed)
Grey-MarketPayment BlockingRussian authorities announced plans to intensify crackdowns on illegal online gambling by blocking websites and targeting cryptocurrency payment channels.
Read-across: Targeting financial transactions, especially cryptocurrency, signals a more sophisticated approach to enforcement that could significantly disrupt the revenue flow for grey-market operators.
- March 2023
The Stars Group (Flutter Entertainment plc)
OtherFine $4MThe company paid a fine to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act while lobbying for poker legalization in Russia.
Read-across: This enforcement by a foreign authority points to legal risks for international companies that try to influence Russian gambling legislation, even in 'grey' market conditions.
Market size: 22.2B USD (2025)
Gross gaming revenue in Russia is approximately 22.2 billion USD annually. The most popular form of gambling is Sports betting. Online gambling represents 95% of total GGR. A culturally distinctive product in this market is Stoloto state lottery.
Market breakdown by vertical
- Land-based1.11B USD5.0%
- Sports betting16.65B USD75.0%
- Casino0B USD0.0%
- Lottery4.44B USD20.0%
Source: The Moscow Times / Kommersant Ministry Sheet. Splits: online-casino 0.0%, sports 75.0%, land-based 5.0%, lottery 20.0%.
GGR figure25
Licensed operators: ~13
As of 19 Oct 2026, approximately 13 operators hold an active licence in Russia. Size your entry against this base before committing capital. Check them yourself on the official ERAI register, which lists each licensee and its authorised domains.
Notable licensed operators
Winline.ru
Liga Stavok
BetBoom.ru
Pari.ru
Traps operators hit in Russia
Specific operational risks that have caught new entrants in this market. Each item is country-specific. Generic gambling-ops issues (KYC, RG tools) are not included unless they have a local twist.
Mandatory ETSUPIS Integration
All licensed online bookmakers must process every single player transaction (deposits and withdrawals) through the state-controlled ETSUPIS payment gateway. Failure to comply or attempting to use alternative payment rails is a licence-killing violation.
Sources26
Advertising and Sponsorship Restrictions
Advertising for legal sports betting is heavily restricted, generally permitted only on sports channels, within live sports broadcasts, on sports websites, and at sports venues. All other forms of advertising, especially those targeting a general audience, are banned.
Sources3
Data Localisation Requirements
Russian law requires that all servers handling transactions and storing personal data of Russian citizens must be physically located within the Russian Federation. This is a technical and legal hurdle for international operators.
Sources3
Timeline: rules in force
- May 2026
Sixth Gambling Zone in Altai Republic created
The law establishing a new land-based casino zone near the Manzherok ski resort was signed.
Source: 27
- January 2026
GGR-based tax model for bookmakers implemented
The tax system for sports betting operators shifted from fixed fees to a 7% tax on GGR plus corporate profit tax.
Source: 4
- 2014
Legal framework for online sports betting established
An amendment to Federal Law 244-FZ created the legal basis for licensed online bookmaking and led to the creation of the TSUPIS (now ETSUPIS) system.
Source: 28
- 2009
Nationwide ban on gambling outside of zones takes effect
Based on the 2006 law, all casinos and slot halls outside the initial four gambling zones were closed, and online casinos were banned.
Source: 26
- 2006
Federal Law No. 244-FZ enacted
The foundational statute that set up the current restrictive gambling framework was passed. It created the legal basis for the gambling zones and a strict licensing regime.
Source: 26
Operator myths vs reality in Russia
Common assumptions about gambling licensing that turn out to be wrong in practice.
- MythA Curaçao or Malta licence is sufficient for 'grey market' operations in Russia.Reality
There is no 'grey market' in Russia for online casinos. The activity is explicitly illegal under Federal Law 244-FZ. Operating under a foreign licence means being a primary target for Roskomnadzor's ISP blocking and payment blocking.
Sources26
- MythWe can host our servers anywhere as long as we have a Russian licence.Reality
This is a critical compliance failure. Russian law mandates that all servers processing transactions and storing the personal data of Russian citizens must be physically located within the territory of the Russian Federation.
Sources3
- MythThe main ongoing cost is the GGR tax.Reality
While the 7% GGR tax is significant, operators must also pay a 25% corporate profit tax and mandatory 'target deductions' to national sports federations. These combined costs are a substantial portion of revenue.
Sources4
Markets that work like Russia
Compared on what our records hold for each country: whether online casino, betting, poker and lottery are licensed, state-run or banned, the licensing model, what the operator tax is levied on and its band, how most advertising channels are treated, and how foreign licences are treated. A point we hold for only one of the two countries counts for nothing.
- AlbaniaReviewed
Online casino and poker banned; betting and lottery licensed; licensed market; tax on GGR; most ad channels restricted.
- KazakhstanCheckedAustraliaCheckedSouth AfricaIn review
Online casino and poker banned; betting and lottery licensed; licensed market; most ad channels restricted.
- CyprusChecked
Online casino and poker banned; betting licensed; licensed market; tax on GGR; most ad channels restricted.
Methodology & sources
This page is a Quick AI overview: a summary of public information, not yet checked against the law or the regulator. Treat it as a starting point. It has not yet been through our Deep AI Scan.
How we researchAsk us to run the Deep AI Scan for Russia
Documents cited on this page
- 1iGamingBusiness
- 2The Moscow Times
- 3Company Formation Russia
- 4Betrating.org
- 5CasinoBeats
- 6Moris Law
- 7AffPapa
- 8Gorodissky & Partners
- 9Awara Group
- 10Google Ads Gambling and games policy
- 11Google Ads Certification Update (March 2026)
- 12Apple App Store Review Guidelines
- 13Google Play Developer Policy Center (Gambling)
- 14AppleInsider - Russia Payment Processing Halted
- 15Apple Search Ads Policies
- 16Google Ads Inappropriate Content Policy
- 17Meta Advertising Policy (Gambling)
- 18Reuters - Russia Declares Ads on Restricted Platforms Illegal
- 19Yogonet - Meta Ad Compliance Rules
- 20ConsultantPlus - Law on Addiction Warnings
- 21Outdoor.ru - Law Toughening Ad Requirements Signed
- 22ConsultantPlus - Advertising Law Amendments (April 2026)
- 23ConsultantPlus - New Ad Requirements (Feb 2026)
- 24Mundovideo
- 25The Moscow Times / Kommersant Ministry Sheet
- 26Federal Law No. 244-FZ
- 27Yogonet
- 28Wikipedia
Looking for the player guide?
For consumer-facing information about gambling in Russia (tax on winnings, where to play legally, self-exclusion options), see the Russia player guide.
Disclaimer. This page reflects the law as we understood it on 19 Oct 2026. Rules change: always check the current position with Federal Tax Service of the Russian Federation (Федеральная налоговая служба Российской Федерации) and the Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI). We are not a legal adviser.