Evgeny Masharov, a member of the Russian Public Chamber’s Commission on the Public Evaluation of Draft Laws and Other Regulatory Acts, has suggested limiting access to online casinos to individuals aged 21 and older. He also proposed a one-year self-exclusion period option.
Masharov stated: “To reduce the risk of financial dependence on illegal online casinos and bookmakers, it is proposed that online casino activity be regulated during 2026–2027."
Elsewhere, he also noted that during this period, it is necessary to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges, which are used not only to transfer funds to illegal online casinos but also to legalise proceeds from telephone scams.
Masharov added: “40% of transactions by cryptocurrency exchanges operating in Russia are transfers to online casinos and illegal bookmakers. There continues to be a boom in illegal cryptocurrency operations, which are used to fund wallets for transfers to online casinos and illegal bookmaker platforms. Hundreds of millions of rubles per month pass outside the country’s financial system, increasingly involving minors.''
The proposal also calls for public oversight, alongside state regulation, involving industry associations, research institutes and other civil society organisations to ensure transparency and manage risks in online gambling and digital currencies.
Online gambling legalisation in Russia was suggested in late January, when Finance Minister Anton Siluanov submitted a proposal to President Vladimir Putin outlining how a regulated market could significantly boost national tax revenues. The minister proposed a regulated model amid a large illegal market. Meanwhile, Russia’s self-exclusion register is expected to begin operating on 1 September 2026.
The Russian State Duma has recently approved a bill in its first reading that would ban bookmakers and totalisators from accepting credit card bets
