Tough New Laws On Gambling Signed In Russia

By Brian Cullingworth, Last updated Aug 3, 2018

Organising online or offline gambling outside demarcated zones can have serious consequences

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law toughening up punitive measures for the unlawful organisation of gambling.

According to the legislation, unlicensed gambling offer by betting organizations outside special zones, as well as systematic provision of premises for unlawful gambling may result in criminal liability.

Organising casino action outside gambling zones without a licence, or using the Internet will carry a prison term of up to 2 years as well as fines of up to 500,000 rubles ($7,950).

If the crime is committed by a group, prison terms may rise to 4 years while a fine may reach 1,000,000 rubles ($15,900). Illegal gambling crime committed by an organised criminal group, with the use of offices, or on an especially large scale, may result in a 6-year prison term and a fine of up to 1.5 million rubles ($23,900).

Brian Cullingworth

Infopowa news was a staple of Casinomeister’s news from 2000 until 2019. Brian Cullingworth was the main writer, contributor, and was one of the most knowledgeable persons I have ever known involved in the online casino industry.

We first met in January 2001 at the ICE in London where I observed him going booth to booth interviewing online casino, software, and licensing jurisdiction representatives. Brian was also heavily involved with our forum as “Jetset“, he was involved as an informal consultant to eCOGRA, the OPA, and was a player advocate who assisted countless aggrieved players with his connections to industry folks. He also published “Casino Cautions” via Infopowa news for quite a number of years. These can be found in our news archives.

His passing in February 2019 was a dark day for us. He will be forever missed.