Russia’s systemic opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) has proposed the punishment of adults who deliberately encourage or enable underage gambling.
Nikita Berezin, the head of the LDPR faction in the State Duma and a member of the party’s Supreme Council, made this statement.
He also called for the development of a network of anonymous psychological support centres for people experiencing gambling addiction and their families, including the creation of a 24-hour helpline for those seeking assistance.
Berezin noted: ‘’There should be a single, anonymous, federal helpline number to alleviate the fear of judgment and give people the first step toward recovery.’’
The proposals arise amid ongoing discussions in Russia regarding gambling regulation and player protection measures.
From 1 September 2026, citizens affected by gambling addiction will be able to access free, comprehensive care from psychiatrists and addiction specialists. The national self-exclusion register is expected to begin operating on the same date.
The country is also set to introduce the first unified clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gambling addiction. The initiative is being developed by the Serbsky Psychiatric and Addiction Research Centre.
Recently, the Ministry of Finance issued a Draft Order requiring operators to display prominent gambling-risk warnings on websites and in advertising.
Following tighter legal requirements for advertising, major Russian bookmakers Pari, Liga Stavok and Winline signed voluntary industry guidelines on responsible advertising practices.
The directive was developed by the Association for the Development of Interactive Advertising (ADIA) in collaboration with the operators.
Last week, President Putin signed a law to accelerate the blocking of illegal online gambling sites by reducing the Federal Tax Service's review period from five working days to two
