Russian online sports betting licensing details could lead to action against international operators

Russia has offered further clarification on its plans to legalize online sports betting.

On May 8, Russia published Government Decree No. 452, spelling out “additional requirements for the organizers of gambling.” The document confirms previous reports that all Russian-licensed online sports betting operators will be required to process payments through a central repository known as a self-regulatory organization (SRO) so that the government can distinguish between sanctioned and unsanctioned activities.

Russia also plans to limit licensed betting operators to a single online domain and will require operators to base their servers on Russian soil. Russian-licensed operators will also be required to display the government’s seal of approval on their websites.

However, there remains some difference of opinion as to whether the country’s licensed land-based bookmakers are now legally free and clear to accept online wagers. Last July, Russia amended its 244-FZ Gambling Law to allow for certain exemptions to its prohibition on online betting, but in typical Russian fashion, failed to offer much in the way of specifics on these exemptions.