Russia’s Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has reportedly urged President Vladimir Putin to legalise online casinos, a move framed as a way to regulate the black market and protect players—but also seen as a potential revenue source for the war in Ukraine.
Siluanov’s plan suggests a single licensed operator that would remit at least 30% of revenue after winnings to the federal government each month, potentially adding 100 billion rubles (US$1.3 billion) annually to the budget, according to Kommersant.
Supporters argue the scheme could curb illegal gambling and provide safeguards for players, while critics warn it may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as the poor and elderly. Vasily Riy, executive director of the Association for the Protection of the Rights of Gambling and Lottery Participants, noted that legalisation alone is not a panacea, citing examples from other countries where poor oversight worsened gambling harms.
Context: Russia’s Gambling Market
- Land-based casinos are allowed only in select zones, such as Primorye Krai, home to Tigre de Cristal and Shambala. The legal sector generates about 1.7 trillion rubles per year.
- Online gambling has been illegal since 2009, yet the underground market reportedly generates 3 trillion rubles annually, with around 100 illicit platforms operating.
Controversial Expansion to Occupied Territories
Reports suggest Russia may also extend online casinos to temporarily occupied territories in Ukraine, allegedly forcing locals to contribute to the occupation economy. The National Resistance Centre calls this a form of “exploitation,” claiming it would make civilians finance the Kremlin’s military campaign.
As the war enters its fourth year, Siluanov’s proposal highlights the Kremlin’s growing interest in iGaming as a state revenue tool, despite social and ethical concerns.
