Russia is considering the possibility of legalizing online casinos after Finance Minister Anton Siluanov submitted a proposal to President Vladimir Putin outlining how a regulated market could significantly increase national tax revenues. The development was first reported by Kommersant through information obtained from individuals familiar with the Minister’s letter.
Siluanov argued that the government should lift the longstanding prohibition on online casinos as it seeks new income sources to offset the rising fiscal burden of the war in Ukraine. According to the Finance Ministry, turnover in the country’s legal online betting sector reached RUB 1.7 trn in 2024. By comparison, the size of the illegal online casino market is believed to be nearly double at RUB 3 trn, with roughly 100 unlicensed platforms operating.
The proposal outlines the creation of a unified digital system to track online wagers, mirroring mechanisms already used for legal bookmakers and totalizators. A single regulator would oversee compliance, consumer protections, and efforts to mitigate gambling addiction. Other government agencies would be expected to intensify the blocking of illegal operators, which have proliferated despite the ban.
Siluanov estimated that a regulated online casino sector taxed at a minimum monthly rate of 30% on gross revenue could yield about RUB 100bn per year for the federal budget. The report did not indicate whether Putin has responded or expressed support for advancing the proposal.
The global rise in online gambling has prompted increasing concern among public health researchers, who warn that expanded access may fuel higher rates of addiction. Russian officials are expected to weigh both the potential fiscal benefits and the social implications if the proposal moves forward.
Russia banned online casinos in 2009, yet illicit platforms now outnumber legal betting operators
