Russian authorities are taking a firm stance on gambling addiction by proposing hefty fines for casinos that allow individuals registered in the country’s new "self-prohibition" registry to place bets. The State Duma, which is Russia's lower house of parliament, passed this significant bill during a plenary session on July 8, as reported by the Russian Parliamentary Gazette.
The initiative stems from the Duma’s Committee on Economic Policy, which has also developed a rapid-response system to block illegal online casinos operating within Russia. Maxim Topilin, the committee's Chairman, stated in May, “We are working to fight the shadow gambling sector, strengthen trust in state-regulated platforms, and improve the overall level of security in the digital space.”
In addition to the fines for accepting bets from self-excluded gamblers, the bill proposes strict advertising limitations. Casinos, slot machine centers, and online bookmakers will face penalties for sending promotional materials to those individuals listed on the registry.
Individuals found in violation could face fines between $400 and $660, with businesses facing penalties that are ten times greater. Following the passage of the bill’s second and third readings in the Duma, it is set to become law on September 1, unless it is vetoed by the Federation Council or President Vladimir Putin.
This legislation establishes accountability for gambling operators who accept bets from individuals on the self-prohibition list. Courts can adjudicate administrative offenses against operators for failing to detect a problem gambler. The bill also mandates that operators must report individuals they block to the unified gambling regulator of Russia.
This law is a response to an alarming increase in gambling addiction rates, with lawmakers estimating that around 12% of adults in Russia exhibit symptoms of problematic gambling. Reports indicate that addicted individuals may spend as much as 21% of their monthly earnings at bookmakers, slot machines, land-based casinos, and illegal online betting platforms. Alarmingly, only 5%-10% of those with gambling addictions seek professional help, according to anti-gambling advocates.
In response, the government is preparing to introduce new guidelines and treatment for gambling addiction through psychological and psychiatric clinics later this year. Furthermore, Artem Metelev, the head of the State Duma Committee on Youth Policy, has suggested allowing family members to add their relatives to the registry without their consent. He expressed, “It would be a good addition to let close relatives, like children, wives, and husbands, impose restrictions. People don’t always realize they are addicted.” Plans for a draft law on this proposal are underway, ready for submission to the Duma soon.
