Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially approved new regulations that will require gambling companies to enforce restrictions on bettors listed in a central self-exclusion registry. This measure was previously passed by the State Duma earlier in the month and subsequently endorsed by the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament.
With Putin’s signature, the bill will take effect on September 1, as reported by the media outlet Tsargrad. This law grants courts and regulatory bodies the authority to impose fines on casinos, slot machine establishments, and bookmakers that fail to identify patrons who are deemed problem gamblers.
The latest development comes amid a growing gambling industry in Russia, with reported increases in visitor numbers at casinos, which rose by 7% in the first half of the year. However, concerns are mounting regarding the rise of gambling addiction, with government statistics suggesting that as many as 13 million Russians, or approximately 12% of the adult population, may be struggling with this issue.
In response to the gambling addiction crisis, the government has implemented a dual strategy. The first component involves the Federal State Information System (Gosuslugi), a municipal services portal. The second aspect includes the introduction of new resources aimed at psychologists and medical centers that support those dealing with gambling addiction. Both initiatives are set to launch in September.
New features of the Gosuslugi portal will include the ability for individuals to register for self-exclusion. Gambling establishments will be required to verify the IDs of patrons against this registry to deny entry or bets to those who are excluded. Failure to comply will result in fines, with court penalties for staff members reaching up to $640. Companies themselves can be fined significantly more, with penalties reaching up to $6,400 for each infraction.
These penalties will apply to both physical establishments and licensed online bookmakers, although online casinos remain prohibited in Russia unless they operate under government-issued permits. Courts will also have the authority to fine operators for not providing adequate information regarding the self-exclusion registry and associated links on their websites.
Physical operators must display posters that inform customers of their right to join the self-exclusion registry as part of the new regulations.
Additionally, the Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Addiction in Moscow is developing medical guidelines regarding pathological gambling treatment. These guidelines are set to be revealed soon in collaboration with the Russian Society of Psychiatrists.
Psychologists have recently indicated that the increased use of smartphones among children is contributing to a rise in gambling addiction among youths. Despite these concerns, several Russian casinos are pursuing expansion projects, with the Kremlin authorizing more official gambling zones.
Last week, the Shambala Casino in Sochi announced plans for a second phase of expansion, set to be completed in the fall. This project will include two new hotels housing a total of 315 rooms, along with a spa center, nightclub, sports arena, and convention hall. Additionally, the operator has revealed plans for significant expansion at its location in Kaliningrad.
