Launching an online casino in Russia
Russia has a large legal betting market and no legal online casino. What the law allows, how it is enforced and what the government has proposed. Checked on 27 September 2026.
Is online casino legal in Russia?
No. Federal Law 244-FZ allows casinos only in designated gambling zones and prohibits gambling over the internet, with one exception: bets with licensed bookmakers and totalisators, which must accept them through the single centre for accounting betting transfers. Online casino sites are blocked, and payments to them are restricted.
The restrictions are in Article 5 of the law. A public-law company, the Unified Gambling Regulator, now oversees the industry, and from 1 September 2026 people can register a self-exclusion that licensed operators must respect.
| Russia | |
|---|---|
| Status | Online casino illegal; online betting legal only with licensed bookmakers through the single betting-transfer centre |
| Land-based casinos | Only in designated gambling zones |
| Currency | Russian rouble (RUB) |
| Language | Russian |
| Popular payments | Cards on the Mir system, the Faster Payments System (SBP) |
Will Russia legalise online casino?
It has been proposed, not decided. In January 2026 the Ministry of Finance proposed legalising online casino through a single operator designated by the President, routing bets through the same centre as bookmakers and taxing revenue at 30% or more. No law has followed.
The proposal was reported in January 2026. Even if adopted, the model it describes is one state-designated operator, not a licensing regime open to private brands.
What does this mean for a launch on WW Games?
An online casino for players in Russia is not an option under current law. Which markets a brand may serve is set by its licence and the law of each market — licensing is the operator's responsibility. WW Games does not hold or sublicense a gambling licence, and can put you in touch with licensing providers.
The storefront runs in Russian, which serves Russian-speaking players in markets where a brand may operate. Brands serving several countries should exclude Russia from targeting and payments.
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Russia questions
Is online casino legal in Russia?
No. Federal Law 244-FZ prohibits gambling over the internet except bets with licensed bookmakers and totalisators through the single betting-transfer centre.
Is Russia legalising online casino?
The Ministry of Finance proposed a single state-designated online casino operator in January 2026. It has not become law.
Can an offshore casino serve Russian players?
No. Online casino is illegal in Russia regardless of where the operator is licensed; sites are blocked and payments restricted.
Pick the markets that are open
Tell us where your audience is; we will map the launch to the markets you can serve and introduce you to licensing providers if you need one.