If there was ever a good time to be a regulated sports betting operator in Russia, that time is rapidly passing. That's because late last week, Russian lawmakers moved one step closer to approving a series of laws that will take a major chunk out of the bookmaker's pocket and put it back in the…
When Russia hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup earlier this month, both its national soccer team and its local sports betting industry were able to enjoy some serious home field advantages. According to several published reports, regulated Russian bookmakers took in several billion dollars in wagers and wound up getting to keep a decent amount…
Russian telecom authorities briefly blocked access to Google.ru last week as part of an ongoing dispute with the search giant over links to online gambling sites. Though service was restored after just a few hours, the incident points out the increasingly hard line the country is taking in its battle against unauthorized online gambling. The…
Russian authorities have barred professional poker player Anthony Guoga from entering their country to compete in a tournament. Guoga (aka "Tony G") was all set to complete in the Party Poker Millions tournament in Sochi when he received word that he was not welcome in Russian territory. The ban wasn't a complete surprised as Guoga…
Three Russian sports betting sites are racing towards launching their products by year's end. Once operational, the three bookmakers will represent a major step forward for regulated Russian sports betting. BaltBet.ru, Bingo Boom, and Bkolimpbet.ru are all in various states of readiness as 2016 closes, but all are expected to be taking wagers by the…
Russia's regulated online sports betting market doubled in size this week with the launch of 888.ru. The company, which is based in Russia and has no relation to 888 Holdings, is now the second operator to take a chance on a market that features some very challenging circumstances. 888.ru is backed by Russian lottery operator…
Russia has long been a place where illegal gambling isn't looked on particularly kindly by government officials. Fines for illegal operators range from extreme to sky-high and, if a new bill under consideration by the State Duma passes, they'll go even higher. According to a recent announcement by The Russian Legal Information Agency, as reported…
The looming specter of a massive new sports betting tax has Russian bookmakers preparing for the worst. Late last month, the Russian Finance Ministry announced the imposition of a new 10% tax on their sports betting licensees. Poor performing bookmakers will be hit even harder as the tax includes a $2.5 million (RUB) to…
The Russian government has begun blocking a number of gambling domains in what could be the beginning of legal igaming in the former Soviet Union; or a brazen display of power by Roskomnadzor, the state internet authority. According to a variety of published reports, the blocking efforts probably began some time in September and have…
