Russian Lawmakers Approve Opt-In ‘Self-Prohibition’ Gambling Bill

Russian gambling addicts will be able to add themselves to a “self-prohibition” registry next year, barring themselves from making bets with bookmakers or visiting regulated casinos.

The Russian media outlet Noviy Dyen reported that the new law is set to come into force on September 1, 2026.

The law will enable citizens nationwide to register via the Federal State Information System’s Unified Portal of State and Municipal Services website, also known as Gosuslugi.

The law will require all permit-holding “bookmakers, betting shops, casinos, and slot machine parlors” in the country to check that patrons’ names do not appear on the portal’s “self-prohibition” list before accepting their action.

Non-Compliant Gambling Firms Face Fines

Proponents of the bill explained that the government will update Gosuslugi next year to allow citizens to submit application forms.

The Russian gambling regulator will then process these applications and circulate a list of “abstainers” to gambling venues.

Citizens using the service can choose the length of their “period of abstinence,” with a minimum timeframe of 12 months. Addicts will not be allowed to revoke their “self-prohibition” gambling blocks early.

The law also stipulates that gambling firms must not send promotional messages to any individual on this list.

Furthermore, a clause in the act requires brick-and-mortar betting shops and casinos to display information about the new Gosuslugi service in their establishments.

They will also need to provide direct links to the service and explanatory text on their official websites.

Vital Tool for Gambling Addicts

Maxim Topilin, the Chairman of the State Duma’s Committee on Economic Policy, said the new law would provide a vital tool “for people with gambling addictions and their families.”

Topilin said the law will provide gambling addicts with “an opportunity to control their betting habits.”

Lawmakers are already looking for ways to beef up the law, however. Earlier this year, after laying the groundwork for the bill, lawmakers announced their intention to implement a system of fines for casino operators.

This will eventually see casino and bookmaker employees face individual fines of up to $360 for letting anyone who appears on the Gosuslugi database place a bet.

Their employers will also be subject to fines of up to $1,200 per instance.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Health said that “thousands of Russians” seek medical attention annually with gambling addiction-related problems.