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Sovereign state
Europe
ISO RU

Russia: gambling regulation and licensing

  • Online sports bettingRegulated
  • Online casinoProhibited
  • Online pokerProhibited
  • Horse race bettingRegulated
  • Land-based (reference)Regulated
Regulator
Federal Tax Service
Headline tax
7% GGR
Licence required
Yes
Last verified
23 Sept 2026

Summary

Russia allows gambling through two narrow channels. Federal Law No. 244-FZ confines casinos and slot halls to designated gambling zones, now six after the Altai Republic was added in May 2026, and bans gambling over the internet except bets taken by bookmakers and totalisators licensed by the Federal Tax Service (FNS). Online casino, slots and poker are prohibited. The FNS licenses and supervises operators: its register in November 2025 listed 23 bookmaker and totalisator licences held by 22 companies, alongside 8 zone permit holders. Only Russian companies can hold a licence, with net assets of at least 1 billion roubles and a 500 million rouble bank guarantee. Every online bet passes through a single payment centre. The Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI), a public-law company created in 2021, collects bookmaker data, distributes the levy for sport and flags illegal sites for blocking; it referred 226,092 addresses to the FNS in 2025. Since 1 January 2026 bookmakers pay gambling business tax of 7% of bets less winnings, plus targeted deductions for sport of 2.25% of sports betting revenue, rising to 2.5% in 2028. Legal bookmakers took 1.734 trillion roubles in bets in 2024 and kept 414.9 billion roubles, according to ERAI, and more than 90% of stakes were placed online. On 1 September 2026 a national self-exclusion list run by ERAI came into force, with a minimum term of twelve months, together with a compulsory addiction warning in all gambling advertising.

Common pitfalls

Three errors recur. First, Russia has a legal online betting market but no legal online casino, slots or poker. Second, ERAI is not the licensing authority: the Federal Tax Service licenses and supervises bookmakers and totalisators, and regional authorities issue permits in the zones. Third, older sources list five gambling zones and a gambling tax set by the regions; since 2026 there are six zones and the tax is a federal one under Tax Code chapter 25.5.

Key facts

Regulator
Federal Tax Service (FNS)
Regulator type
Government ministry
Headline tax
7% GGR
Licence required
Yes
Minimum age
18+
Tax base
Bookmakers and totalisators: income from accepting bets and interactive bets less the winnings paid (Tax Code arts. 333.58(2) and 333.59(2)), for each calendar month. Casinos and slot halls in the gambling zones pay a fixed amount for each monthly tax period: 250,000 roubles per gaming table and 15,000 roubles per slot machine (art. 333.61(1)).

How to get a gambling licence in Russia

The regulator is the Federal Tax Service (FNS).

We record 2 licence types for Russia.

Local presence
A local company or establishment is required.
Financial guarantee
Bookmakers need a bank guarantee of at least 500 million roubles, for at least five years, from a bank on the Tax Code list (244-FZ art. 6(10)).
Headline tax
7% GGR (see Taxation for the full position)

Built from the record on this page, last verified 23 Sept 2026. The Licensing and Taxation sections carry the full detail and sources.

Licensing

Licence required
Yes
Application window
Not yet verified
Local establishment required
Yes
Local server required
Not yet verified
Active licences
23 (as of 24 Nov 2025)
Bank guarantee or bond
Bookmakers need a bank guarantee of at least 500 million roubles, for at least five years, from a bank on the Tax Code list (244-FZ art. 6(10)).
Notable licensees
OOO F.O.N., OOO BK Olimp, OOO Bukmekerskaya kontora PARI, OOO Bukmekerskaya kontora Marafon, OOO LEON, AO SportBet, OOO Pervaya mezhdunarodnaya bukmekerskaya kompaniya, AO Rossiyskie Ippodromy
Barriers to entry
Only legal entities registered in Russia may organise gambling (244-FZ art. 6(1)), and companies registered in listed offshore jurisdictions may not be founders or controlling persons (art. 6(2.2)). Bookmakers and totalisators need net assets of at least 1 billion roubles, paid-up capital of 100 million roubles in cash from non-borrowed funds, and bookmakers a 500 million rouble bank guarantee. All online bets must pass through the single payment centre, and bookmakers pay targeted deductions of at least 30 million roubles a quarter. The register at 24 November 2025 listed 23 licences held by 22 companies.

Licence types

  • Licence to organise and conduct gambling in bookmakers or totalisators

    Scope
    Betting shops outside the gambling zones and interactive (online) bets. A licensee may provide one of two services: taking bets itself, or organising bets between two or more players (244-FZ art. 14(2.1)).

  • Permit to conduct gambling in a gambling zone

    Scope
    Casinos and slot halls inside one of the six gambling zones; issued by the regional authority managing the zone

Taxation

Headline GGR tax
7% GGR
Effective date
1 Jan 2026
Withholding mechanism
The single centre for bet transfers withholds the targeted deductions from interactive bets and card bets and passes them to ERAI quarterly; bookmakers pay the deduction on cash bets themselves (244-FZ art. 6.2(3.1) to (4.1)).
Tax base
Bookmakers and totalisators: income from accepting bets and interactive bets less the winnings paid (Tax Code arts. 333.58(2) and 333.59(2)), for each calendar month. Casinos and slot halls in the gambling zones pay a fixed amount for each monthly tax period: 250,000 roubles per gaming table and 15,000 roubles per slot machine (art. 333.61(1)).

Scheduled changes

  • 2.5% from 1 Jan 2028
    Enacted

    Targeted deductions for sport rise from 2.25% to 2.5% of sports betting revenue

Earmarked levies

  • Targeted deductions for sport: 2.25% of revenue from bets and interactive bets on sports competitions in 2026 and 2027, and at least 30 million roubles a quarter per bookmaker (All-Russian sports federations, professional leagues and the Russian Sports Fund, distributed by ERAI)

Compliance

Minimum age
18+
KYC timing
Before bets are accepted
AML regime
Identification under Federal Law No. 115-FZ on countering money laundering; bookmaker capital must come from verified, non-borrowed funds.
Central monitoring system
Every interactive bet is transferred through the single centre for bet transfers, a credit institution appointed by the President. ERAI's information system has received automated data on bookmaker activity since October 2021; 19 bookmakers were transmitting data to it in 2025.
KYC requirements
Bets and interactive bets on official sports competitions may be accepted, and winnings paid, only after the player has passed identification or simplified identification under Federal Law No. 115-FZ and the operator has established the player's age (244-FZ art. 6.1). The single payment centre also identifies the player.
Stake limits
Not yet verified
Mandatory player messaging
From 1 September 2026 bookmaker and totalisator sites must show information on the risks of gambling on at least 7% of the visible home page, and betting shops must display it at the entrance with a QR code. Operators must publish a responsible gaming policy explaining self-exclusion and link to the self-exclusion service on the state services portal.
Reporting obligations
Organisers must give the FNS the information needed for supervision (244-FZ art. 6(3)) and report beneficial owners and controllers (art. 6(11)). Bookmakers report quarterly to ERAI on winnings paid and deductions on cash bets.
Game content restrictions
Betting outlets outside the gambling zones may not use gaming machines or tables, or software that copies them, including look-alike images and symbols (244-FZ art. 14(3)).

Advertising

Advertising permitted
Yes
Watershed
Television and radio: 22:00 to 07:00 local time, except bookmaker and totalisator advertising during sports and horse racing broadcasts, capped at 20% of the permitted advertising time.
Sponsorship rules
Bookmaker brands may appear in sports venues and on the kit of athletes and clubs; totalisator brands at racecourses and on riders' and horses' equipment (art. 27(2.2)).
Mandatory warnings
From 1 September 2026 every gambling advertisement must warn that taking part in gambling may lead to gambling addiction: at least 3 seconds on radio, at least 5 seconds and 7% of the frame on television, and at least 7% of the advertising space elsewhere (art. 27(1.1), added by 41-FZ).

Restrictions

  • Gambling advertising may not address minors, present gambling as a way to earn a living, exaggerate the chance of winning, suggest winning is guaranteed or use images of people and animals (Advertising Law art. 27(1)).
  • Outside sports broadcasts, television and radio advertising is allowed only between 22:00 and 07:00 local time (art. 27(2)).
  • Bookmakers may also advertise in sports print and online media, on the sites of national sports federations and professional leagues, and during sports broadcasts within 20% of the permitted advertising time (art. 27(2.2)).
  • From 1 September 2026 no advertising may be sent to a person on the self-exclusion list (art. 27(6)).

Payments

Credit card ban
Not yet verified
Crypto stance
Not yet verified
Permitted methods
Transfers of money or e-money through the single centre for bet transfers (no postal transfers)
Local rails
Single centre for bookmaker and totalisator bet transfers (Edinyi TsUPIS, NKO Mobilnaya Karta)
Payment blocking regime
Banks must refuse transfers to persons on the FNS list of those in whose favour gambling payments are banned, and card issuers must refuse cross-border card payments coded as gambling; payment agents and banks may not contract with unlisted gambling organisers (244-FZ art. 5.1).
Withdrawal timeframe rules
Winnings on interactive bets are paid only to the bank account or e-money instrument at the single centre from which the bet was made (244-FZ art. 14.2(7)).

Enforcement

ISP blocking
Yes
DNS blocking
Not yet verified
Payment blocking
Yes
App store takedowns
Not yet verified
Administrative penalties
FNS warnings, suspension and annulment of bookmaker and totalisator licences (244-FZ art. 15.2)
Operator liability
Online gambling is treated as conducted in Russia if the player lives in Russia, pays through a Russian bank or e-money operator, uses a Russian IP address or a Russian phone number (244-FZ art. 5(3)). Unlicensed operators are added to the payment ban list, and their sites to the Unified Register of prohibited sites.

Notable actions

  • Illegal gambling and lottery websites

    In 2025 ERAI's monitoring system identified and passed 226,092 domain names, page addresses and network addresses to the FNS for a decision on inclusion in the Unified Register of prohibited sites.

  • Licensed bookmakers and totalisators26 Feb 2026

    FNS 2025 report: four warnings, three for failing to disclose beneficial owners and controllers and one for using software that copies casino games; no inspections were held in 2025.

  • OOO Primorsky Entertainment Resorts City (Primorye zone)29 May 2025

    Zone permit No. 05-17 annulled by the Primorsky Krai Ministry of Tourism; a new permit, No. 05-18, was issued on 10 June 2025.

Market data

Figures on this record are drawn from official regulator data.

Online GGR
Not yet verified
Reporting year
2024
Active player accounts
6,345,000

Timeline

  1. 1 Jul 2009

    Casinos and slot halls confined to the gambling zones

  2. 23 Jun 2021

    Public-law company Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI) established

  3. 24 Jun 2025

    Federal Law No. 157-FZ sets targeted deductions for sport at 2.25% from 2026 and 2.5% from 2028

  4. 29 Dec 2025

    Federal Law No. 575-FZ on the self-exclusion list signed

  5. 1 Jan 2026

    New gambling business tax under Tax Code chapter 25.5: 7% of bets less winnings for bookmakers

  6. 2 May 2026

    Federal Law No. 124-FZ adds the Altai Republic as a sixth gambling zone

  7. 1 Sept 2026

    Self-exclusion list and mandatory addiction warnings in gambling advertising take effect

  8. 1 Jan 2028

    Targeted deductions for sport rise to 2.5%

Outlook

The self-exclusion list has applied since 1 September 2026, and operators must now cancel open bets of excluded players and refuse them access. Targeted deductions for sport rise to 2.5% on 1 January 2028. ERAI reports that it has worked on draft laws to ban promoting illegal gambling online, with liability for doing so, and to shorten the time taken to block illegal gambling and lottery sites. The boundaries and parameters of the new Altai Republic zone are for the Government to set.

Frequently asked questions

Is online casino legal in Russia?
No. Federal Law No. 244-FZ bans gambling over the internet except bets with licensed bookmakers and totalisators, and since 2023 expressly bans online games with a randomly determined prize. Casinos and slot halls may operate only in the six gambling zones.
Who licenses online betting in Russia?
The Federal Tax Service licenses and supervises bookmakers and totalisators. The Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI) runs the data system, the levy for sport and the self-exclusion list, but does not issue licences.
What tax do Russian bookmakers pay?
Since 1 January 2026, gambling business tax of 7% of income from bets less winnings, paid monthly. They also pay targeted deductions for sport of 2.25% of sports betting revenue, at least 30 million roubles a quarter, rising to 2.5% in 2028.
How does self-exclusion work?
From 1 September 2026 a person can apply to ERAI through the state services portal or a multifunctional centre to be put on the list for at least twelve months. The application cannot be withdrawn, and operators must refuse the person bets, access and advertising.
Can a foreign operator be licensed?
Only legal entities registered in Russia can organise gambling, and companies from listed offshore jurisdictions cannot own or control them. Bookmakers need net assets of at least 1 billion roubles, capital of 100 million roubles and a bank guarantee of at least 500 million roubles.

Glossary and directory

iGT coverage of Russia

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All 10 articles on Russia →

Sources

Source tiers. Tier 1: the law, official gazette, licence register or regulator itself. Tier 2: other official sources such as ministries, parliaments, courts and statistics agencies. Tier 3: established trade press, used to find and date the primary source. Only tier 1 and tier 2 sources can support a fact on their own.

  1. Federal Law No. 244-FZ of 29 December 2006 on state regulation of the organisation and conduct of gambling (consolidated text, edition of 2 May 2026)

    Official Internet Portal of Legal Information (pravo.gov.ru) (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 29 Dec 2006
  2. Federal Law No. 575-FZ of 29 December 2025 amending certain legislative acts (self-exclusion list, new article 5.2 of 244-FZ)

    President of Russia (kremlin.ru), bank of documents (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 29 Dec 2025
  3. Federal Law No. 213-FZ of 26 June 2026 amending articles 5.2 and 14.2 of 244-FZ and article 6 of 493-FZ

    President of Russia (kremlin.ru), bank of documents (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 26 Jun 2026
  4. Federal Law No. 41-FZ of 20 February 2026 amending articles 27 and 38 of the Advertising Law and 244-FZ (addiction warnings and risk information)

    President of Russia (kremlin.ru), bank of documents (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 20 Feb 2026
  5. Federal Law No. 124-FZ of 2 May 2026 amending article 9 of 244-FZ (sixth gambling zone, Altai Republic)

    President of Russia (kremlin.ru), bank of documents (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 2 May 2026
  6. Federal Law No. 425-FZ of 28 November 2025 amending parts one and two of the Tax Code (new chapter 25.5, gambling business tax)

    President of Russia (kremlin.ru), bank of documents (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 28 Nov 2025
  7. Gambling business tax (Tax Code chapter 25.5, from 1 January 2026)

    Federal Tax Service of Russia (nalog.gov.ru) (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  8. Organisation and conduct of gambling in bookmakers and totalisators: licensing, licence register and supervision

    Federal Tax Service of Russia (nalog.gov.ru) (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  9. List of gambling organisers holding a gambling zone permit or a bookmaker or totalisator licence (as at 24 November 2025)

    Federal Tax Service of Russia (nalog.gov.ru) (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 24 Nov 2025
  10. List of persons in whose favour money transfers for gambling are prohibited

    Federal Tax Service of Russia (nalog.gov.ru) (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  11. Report on FNS enforcement practice in federal state control of gambling for 2025 (approved by FNS order of 26 February 2026 No. ED-1-2/121@)

    Federal Tax Service of Russia (nalog.gov.ru) (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 26 Feb 2026
  12. Public-law company Unified Gambling Regulator: about the company and founding documents

    Unified Gambling Regulator (erai.ru) (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  13. Annual report of the Unified Gambling Regulator for 2025, part I: report on activities

    Unified Gambling Regulator (erai.ru) (translated)

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 15 Jul 2026
  14. Study: gambling in bookmakers in the Russian Federation in 2023 to 2025, state and dynamics

    Unified Gambling Regulator (erai.ru) (translated)

    Gives 19 valid bookmaker licences in October 2025. The FNS register of 24 November 2025 lists 23 licences held by 22 companies, and the FNS 2025 enforcement report counts 22 licensed bookmaker and totalisator companies at 31 December 2025; the FNS figures are used.

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 14 Nov 2025
  15. Procedure for access to the list of persons who have refused to take part in gambling (approved by the ERAI supervisory board, 12 August 2026)

    Unified Gambling Regulator (erai.ru) (translated)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 12 Aug 2026
  16. Federal Law No. 38-FZ of 13 March 2006 on Advertising, article 27 (edition of 4 August 2026), reproduced by ConsultantPlus

    ConsultantPlus (translated)

    Commercial reproduction of the statute, used because the consolidated text on pravo.gov.ru could not be retrieved in this run. The parts added in 2025 and 2026 match the official texts of 575-FZ and 41-FZ on kremlin.ru.

    Tier 3Accessed 23 Sept 2026

Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.

This page is industry reference information and not legal advice.

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