Russia's Finance Ministry is studying how to address illegal online casinos, including continued prohibition and a regulated model comparable to the country's treatment of bookmakers. Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov described the alternatives to journalists at the Verona Eurasian Economic Forum in Istanbul, according to PRIME's October 23 report.
Chebeskov said different countries use different approaches and that Russian officials are examining all available options. His remarks were exploratory. They did not announce a chosen model, a bill or an adopted decision to legalize online casino gambling. A separate report by Kommersant, citing TASS, also characterized the ministry's position as an evaluation.
The deputy minister said the Finance Ministry is also working with the Federal Tax Service, the Bank of Russia, the Digital Development Ministry and Roskomnadzor to strengthen enforcement against illegal operators. The measures under discussion include blocking payments and websites, although Chebeskov acknowledged that both tasks are difficult because operators devote substantial resources to maintaining their activity.
The discussion follows an earlier debate, but the details should not be confused with a new decision. In January, Kommersant reported that Finance Minister Anton Siluanov had proposed a single-operator structure and a monthly levy of at least 30% of revenue after winnings paid. That was a reported proposal, not an adopted policy, and Chebeskov did not endorse that specific model in his October remarks.
