Responsibility for gambling in the Russian Federation

Liability for different types of gambling business

According to Act No 244-FZ, this includes

• classic gambling games – slot machines and playing tables (games with chips, cards, etc.)
• bookmakers;
• totes.

All of these gambling activities are permitted in the Russian Federation. But there are certain territorial restrictions on their organisation. For instance, classic gambling through casinos or slot machines is only allowed in special zones. Today there are 5 such zones and an expansion of the list is under consideration:

• “Azov-City” in the Krasnodar region;
• “Siberian Coin” in the Altai region;
• “Krasnaya Polyana” in Sochi;
• “Primorye” in the Primorsky region;
• “Amber” on the Baltic coast.

The opening of casinos and the organisation of slot machine raffles outside these zones are punishable for illegal gambling.

Totalizators and betting shops are permitted throughout the Russian Federation. In order to conduct this type of activity, it is necessary to be licensed and comply with all the requirements of Law No. 244-FZ and the NLA.

Online gambling is completely prohibited. Online gambling will have to be held liable for the organisation of online gambling and casinos in Russia.

Liability for gambling business changes

Responsibility for gambling business has changed over the course of the legislative restrictions. In particular, some changes came into force on 03.01.2015. As a result, court decisions on penalties for gambling business were added to the statistics in 2016. The controlling bodies are active in their work. Court cases appear regularly.

As of today, the following types of liability for illegal gambling business are envisaged

• criminal;
• administrative for a legal entity;
• opening an administrative case against a legal entity and a criminal case against an individual at the same time.

How to avoid liability for gambling