Belarusbank has announced the introduction of stricter controls on card transactions from 15 June 2026, including a full ban on payments to foreign gambling operators.
Domestic gambling transactions will also be restricted. Daily limits will range from BYN 600 to BYN 3,000, depending on the type of debit card. All payments will be identified using gambling merchant category codes (MCC).
The updated framework applies to card-not-present transactions, including online payments and transfers made using card details.
Earlier regulations introduced on 11 March prohibited citizens from transferring funds to foreign unlicensed operators, with banks required to block such transactions.
It is unclear why the bank introduced stricter controls several months after the regulations took effect, but it cannot be ruled out or confirmed with certainty that financial institutions were given a transition period to adapt to the new rules.
Under the mentioned regulations, gambling operators are also required to verify player identities. The Ministry for Taxes and Levies warned that using another person’s cards, accounts or documents may result in financial penalties or criminal charges. Individuals are permitted to hold only one account per online gambling operator.
Meanwhile, the bank’s measures appear to form part of a broader tightening of controls on cross-border payments and high-risk digital transactions rather than a gambling-specific policy alone.
Belarusbank has stated that it reserves the right to impose restrictions unilaterally based on decisions by its board, as well as for the purpose of preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.
In April, Belarus’ Ministry of Taxes and Duties detailed the security requirements that gambling operators must follow to protect players, staff and premises.
By 1 July 2027, online gambling operators must submit testing protocols for any system updates to the Monitoring Centre for the Gambling Industry, as part of measures aimed at enhancing player safety and ensuring compliance
