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In January 2026, the Finance Ministry proposed to Putin that online casinos be legalized. Peskov confirmed: "the idea will be worked through." The industry stirred.
In January 2026, the Finance Ministry proposed to Putin that online casinos be legalized. Peskov confirmed: "the idea will be worked through." The industry stirred. In March, CasinoBEATS wrote that legalization could happen as early as April.
But between "under discussion" and "ready to launch" lies a chasm. As of April 6, 2026, there is no federal law, no licensing regime, and no single operator. There is only one fact: the state has finally acknowledged that the illegal online casino market in Russia exceeds 3 trillion rubles per year, and simply blocking it is not working.
This article is not a recap of the news. It is an analysis for those considering launching a gambling business and wanting to understand: wait for Russia, or act now.
The foundational law is Federal Law 244 of 2006. It permits gambling in only two formats:
Online casinos as a separate legal model do not exist in Russia. There is no license, no register, no legal framework. Everything operating online targeting the RU audience works either in the gray zone or through offshore structures.
Since 2012, Roskomnadzor has blocked more than 90,000 gambling sites. But mirrors and VPNs make this blocking merely decorative.
On January 27, 2026, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov sent Putin a letter proposing to lift the ban on online casinos subject to strict conditions:
Not a free market, but one appointed operator. Designated by presidential decree on the government's recommendation. This is not "whoever wants to can open one," but a strictly centralized model.
All bets pass through the Unified Center for Recording Bet Transfers, similar to bookmakers. Full transparency of the money flow.
The operator remits at least 30% of revenue (net of winnings paid out) monthly. Administration is handled through the URGI (Unified Gambling Regulator).
Not 18, as in most offshore jurisdictions. The operator and the URGI receive powers to combat gambling addiction.
The Finance Ministry's forecast: if implemented, the federal budget will receive ~100 billion rubles annually.
The Finance Ministry wants to collect 100 billion from online casinos — 38 times more than all four gambling zones brought in during 2025.
Previously regional, now there are uniform rates across the country. Casinos pay 250,000 rubles per gaming table and 15,000 rubles per slot machine. Bookmakers pay 7% on the difference between bets and winnings plus a 25% profit tax.
From September 1, 2026, any citizen, via Gosuslugi or an MFC, can impose a self-exclusion from participating in gambling for a minimum of one year. The register is maintained by the URGI and updated twice a day. Once enabled, advertising, accepting bets, and entry to casinos are prohibited.
From September 1, 2026, bookmakers and totalisators are required to inform about the risks of gambling on their websites.
The state's logic: first tighten control, then — possibly — open a new revenue channel.
The four operating zones are the only legal land-based format:
| Gambling zone | Guests (2025) | Taxes (2025) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krasnaya Polyana (Sochi) | 903,894 | 1.57 billion rubles | 43% of all casino revenue in Russia |
| Primorye (Vladivostok) | 383,167 | 745 million rubles | Tigre de Cristal |
| Yantarnaya (Kaliningrad) | 282,792 | ~200 million rubles | SOBRANIE |
| Sibirskaya Moneta (Altai) | 168,838 | 101 million rubles | Fastest growth |
| TOTAL | 1,738,691 | 2.6 billion rubles | A third of income is non-gaming |
The fifth zone — "Zolotoy Bereg" in Crimea — exists legally, but there is not a single casino there.
Issued by the zone's governing body (auction/tender). This is not a Federal Tax Service license, but a permit from a Russian region.
Issued by the Federal Tax Service. It allows accepting bets, including interactive (online) ones. But these are sports bets, not casino.
Does not exist. There is no legal model, no register, and no procedure.
There is an alternative: licensing abroad — Curaçao, MGA, Anjouan, Kahnawake. Working jurisdictions with clear rules, timelines, and costs.
➤ Building a business plan around regulation that doesn't exist is not a strategy. It's a bet.
Three real scenarios — and none of them depends on a State Duma decision:
A license in a working jurisdiction + platform + game content + payments. Launch in 1–3 months via White Label or Turnkey.
If the model is closer to betting, there is a path through a bookmaker license. But that is a separate economy with serious requirements.
Requires a different level of capital and infrastructure. For an online operator, this is usually not relevant.
Betstore works with the first scenario. We don't wait for Russia to decide — we launch operators in jurisdictions that already work. A license, platform, games, payments, marketing — the entire stack is assembled into one project.
➤ If you need a working strategy rather than a forecast, start with consulting. We'll break down your model by GEO, budget, and timelines.
18.06.2026
