Belarus’s Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade has prepared draft amendments that would introduce new content and placement restrictions for gambling advertising.
The proposal is being reviewed by government bodies and other stakeholders. It follows a presidential directive to strengthen regulation of the gambling industry and reduce the risk of gambling addiction, particularly among younger people.
Yulia Khvalyuk, a consultant within the ministry’s consumer protection and advertising control department, said current legislation does not restrict the volume of advertising distributed by gambling establishments or operators of games of chance.
The proposed amendments would apply to advertising for both physical gambling venues and online gambling.
Marketing would be required to carry a warning stating that gambling does not guarantee a win and involves the risk of financial loss.
The ministry has also proposed a broad ban on gambling advertising through outdoor formats. Its outline refers to exceptions for signage and certain advertising materials in specified locations, including vehicles, transport facilities, apartment buildings, retail outlets, food-service venues and shopping centres.
Further details on the scope of those exceptions are expected to emerge as the draft progresses through review.
The latest announcement provides further detail on advertising restrictions first outlined by Belarusian authorities in August, when proposals included a near-total ban on online gambling advertising, limits on vehicle-based promotions and restrictions on images and bonus offers.
The changes form part of a wider regulatory programme that has also prohibited under-18s from participating in electronic instant lotteries, strengthened payment controls and introduced mandatory security requirements for land-based gambling venues.
Belarus currently has no restrictions on the volume of advertising distributed by gambling establishments and games of chance
