Russian Lawmaker Pushes Back Against Online Casino Legalization, Calls for Total Ban

A senior figure within Communist Party of the Russian Federation has urged the Kremlin to abandon controversial plans to legalize online casinos, instead advocating for a sweeping crackdown on digital gambling platforms.

Georgy Kamnev, a State Duma deputy and member of the party’s Central Committee, has called for what he described as a “complete ban on online casinos in Russia,” according to reports from the Russian outlet News.ru.

Kamnev argued that authorities should move decisively to eliminate access to such platforms, insisting that all web-based gambling services be blocked “without exception.” He further called on financial institutions and Roskomnadzor, the country’s internet censorship authority, to coordinate efforts and render access to these platforms technically impossible for Russian residents.

In his remarks, Kamnev stressed that commercial banks and Roskomnadzor must intensify their efforts to combat the proliferation of mirror sites used by gambling operators to evade restrictions. He also pressed for stronger measures to eliminate “VPN bypasses,” urging banks to proactively block any transactions suspected of being linked to online casino activity.

Describing the sector as inherently harmful, Kamnev warned that online casinos represent a “dangerous sector that ruins people’s lives.” He highlighted the social consequences of gambling addiction, stating, “Gambling addiction leads Russians to accrue massive debts.” According to the lawmaker, individuals often resort to desperate financial measures, noting, “People take out microloans at exorbitant interest rates, mortgage their apartments, and even sell their property [to gamble].”

He added that when individuals exhaust their financial resources, the consequences can escalate quickly. Debt collectors, he said, “appear on the doorstep,” and in extreme cases, “it ends in suicide.” Kamnev emphasized that the government’s responsibility lies in safeguarding its citizens rather than profiting from their vulnerabilities, asserting, “The health of the nation and the well-being of Russian families are more important than boosting dubious tax revenues.”

The debate comes as the Ministry of Finance of Russia continues to advocate for legalization, arguing that new tax streams are urgently needed. Officials contend that current efforts to block online casinos have been largely ineffective, as operators rely on a vast network of mirror and proxy websites to bypass restrictions.

Under the ministry’s proposal, online casino operators would be taxed at a rate of 30% of annual profits, after deducting player winnings—a measure expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue for the state. However, skepticism remains strong among lawmakers, many of whom favor alternative approaches to increasing gambling-related tax income without opening the market to online casinos.

Among those proposing alternatives is Sergei Mironov, leader of the A Just Russia faction. Earlier this year, Mironov suggested that the government could significantly raise taxes on existing gambling operations instead. In January, he proposed increasing profit taxes on bookmakers and licensed land-based casinos to 50%, rather than pursuing legalization.

“We could also double tax rates on gaming tables, slot machines, and more. This will bring money into the state budget and curb the fast-growing profits of gambling establishments,” Mironov said. He also pointed out that Russia already hosts a substantial number of physical gambling venues, adding, “There is no need to expand this sector any further.”

Despite the opposition, industry insiders remain optimistic that the ministry’s legislative initiative could still pass before the end of the month. At the same time, concerns about rising gambling addiction continue to mount. Experts and law enforcement officials warn that betting-related problems are becoming increasingly widespread across the country.

A recent case highlighted these concerns. Police in Luzino, a village located in the Omsk Oblast, accused a man of stealing a friend’s phone and using it to access funds. The suspect allegedly spent the stolen money on an illegal casino application, underscoring the growing risks associated with unregulated online gambling.

As the debate intensifies, the future of online casino regulation in Russia remains uncertain, with policymakers divided between pursuing new revenue streams and addressing the social costs associated with gambling.

By fLEXI tEAM