Russia's Federation Council has approved legislation that accelerates the blocking of online casinos operating without government authorization. The bill already passed the State Duma, Russia's lower house, and awaits President Vladimir Putin's signature to become law this month.
The new law streamlines the process for issuing access-blocking orders against unlicensed online gambling platforms. Russia operates a heavily regulated gambling market with strict licensing requirements. This legislation tightens enforcement by reducing the timeline for blocking unauthorized operators from state internet infrastructure.
The measure reflects Russia's ongoing crackdown on unregulated gambling, particularly online casinos that operate outside government oversight. Russian authorities have pursued aggressive enforcement against illegal gaming sites for years, but this bill expedites the administrative process significantly.
For the poker community, this matters because Russia has historically been a major source of online poker traffic. While poker occupies a regulatory gray zone in Russia distinct from casino games, stricter ISP-level blocking infrastructure could affect access to poker platforms if authorities decide to expand enforcement beyond traditional casinos. The precedent of fast-tracked blocking orders creates potential risks for any poker sites operating without explicit Russian licensing.
Licensed gambling operators in Russia include poker rooms approved by the government, primarily based in designated zones. However, many Russian players access international poker sites that fall outside these strictures. Broader blocking measures could disrupt that pipeline.
The bill represents escalating state control over online gambling. Russia previously banned most forms of online gambling in 2006, though poker operated in legal limbo. This law doesn't explicitly target poker, but the administrative machinery now in place could be weaponized against any online gaming platform deemed unlicensed.
Putin's expected signature would formalize one of Russia's most efficient blocking mechanisms yet. The move aligns with broader patterns of internet regulation in Russia and signals continued hostility toward unregulated gaming operations.