Russia is set to remove its long-standing ban on online casinos, as mounting fiscal pressure pushes the government towards a major policy shift aimed at boosting state revenues.
Officials are considering legalising online casino operations as early as April 2026, with a potential market launch in May. The move is being driven by the Ministry of Treasury, as authorities look for new income streams to offset a growing budget deficit.
The country’s finances have come under strain following an alleged decline in energy revenues, with income from oil and gas reportedly falling by around 50 percent. That drop has accelerated efforts within the Kremlin to identify alternative sources of funding, particularly as the fiscal deficit for 2026 had already reached 91 percent of its projected ceiling by February.
Provisions to obtain licence
Under the proposed framework, operators would be required to obtain licences to legally offer online casino services. The government is also planning to introduce a 30 percent tax on annual profits, excluding player payouts, in a bid to generate approximately 100 billion rubles ($1.2 billion) each year for the state.
The shift marks a major reversal of a policy introduced in 2009, when Russia banned online casinos in an attempt to curb gambling activity. However, officials now acknowledge that the measure has had limited success. Despite the prohibition, Russian players continue to wager large sums on offshore platforms.
Efforts by Roskomnadzor to block access to these sites have struggled to keep pace with the scale of the market. Offshore operators frequently deploy mirror websites and duplicate servers, allowing them to bypass restrictions faster than regulators can respond.
Industry observers say the current market conditions have made reform more urgent. Sergey Shvedov noted that legalisation could help redirect gambling activity into the domestic economy, while also offering greater protection for users who currently rely on unregulated platforms.
However, legalisation is not expected to happen overnight. The proposal must pass through the full legislative process, three readings in the State Duma, followed by approval from the Federation Council and a final sign-off from the president.
In parallel, global interest in promotional offers such as best online casino bonuses continues to grow, highlighting the potential attractiveness of a regulated Russian market for both operators and players.
Legal age debate, enforcement concerns
Even if lawmakers give it the green light, making the system work on the ground could prove difficult. A minimum age of 21 is being discussed to address responsible gambling risks, but some legal experts question how effective that would be in practice.
Without strong identity checks and proper Know Your Customer systems, there are concerns that younger users could still find ways around the rules, weakening the safeguards from the outset.
There is also strong opposition from religious groups. Senior figures in the Russian Orthodox Church have voiced concerns about the proposed legalisation of online casinos by Russia’s finance ministry. They fear that such a move could threaten “traditional values” and increase gambling addiction throughout the country.
While discussions continue, the proposal signals a clear policy shift. With fiscal pressures mounting and offshore gambling persisting, authorities are moving toward direct regulation to recover lost revenue and strengthen oversight of a market previously outside state control.
All roads lead to the mother of all conferences in Rome from 02 to 05 November 2026. SiGMA World takes over Fiera Roma, bringing together 30,000 delegates, 1,000+ exhibitors, and 550+ expert speakers. This is where the right room can change your roadmap.
