Russian authorities are tightening control over the gambling sector in an effort to completely eliminate illegal operators within the country.

As part of a broader regulatory crackdown, the government has announced plans to shut down online casinos and block related websites.

In addition, the authorities intend to restrict the use of crypto to stop financial transactions in favor of online gambling sector.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has consistently maintained a firm stance on gambling throughout his tenure. Early in his presidency, he initiated the establishment of the Russian Civil Chamber as a civil society institution.

A leading figure in implementing the current measures is Evgeny Masharov — one of the key members of the Civil Chamber.

During public discussions, Masharov stated: “The problem of illegal gambling can be solved in two ways: the first is blocking websites and applications, the second is blocking payments in cryptocurrency.” 

Masharov emphasized that the black market is dangerous because it operates with a degree of freedom unavailable to legal participants in the regulated market.

“Gamification has become a trend, while the simplicity and convenience of the game attract new users. The legal market of bookmakers loses to illegals, as the latter do not have requirements for identification and age verification.” Masharov added.

At the heart of the proposed measures lies the goal of strengthening communication and expanding influence over the black market.

Looking ahead, Masharov expressed confidence that the regulatory system could be “fine-tuned” based on the results of the discussions.

Previous Russian Action

In the past, Russia has attempted large-scale efforts to block various platforms, including a high-profile attempt to ban the instant messaging service Telegram within the country. 

However, those efforts were largely ineffective, and the ban was lifted just a few years after its introduction. 

Despite blocking a significant number of IP addresses, the government failed to remove the platform from public access. 

There were also attempts to collaborate with Google to remove Telegram from its app stores in Russia, but Google declined the request — an outcome that may lead many to question whether the latest gambling-related initiative will have any real impact.