The Russian parliament is proposing a self-exclusion law for gamblers. This rule would prevent self-excluded gamblers from lifting their prohibitions, which must remain in effect for at least 12 months.
In a significant legislative move, Russia’s parliament has approved a bill to introduce a nationwide self-exclusion system for gamblers, marking a milestone in the country’s push for safer gambling and enhanced player protection. The lower house of the State Duma passed the measure in December 2025, and following expected approval from the Federation Council and President Vladimir Putin, the law is set to take effect from September 1, 2026.
The self-exclusion initiative allows Russian citizens to voluntarily bar themselves from gambling for a minimum of 12 months, with no option to revoke the prohibition before the term ends. Those who enroll in the self-exclusion registry will be legally prohibited from placing bets with bookmakers, visiting licensed casinos or slot machine parlours, and even receiving promotional materials from gambling operators during the exclusion period.
Under the new law, individuals wishing to self-exclude must submit an application through Gosuslugi, Russia’s state services portal, or visit designated government offices known as Multifunctional Centres. Applicants will need to provide personal identification and bank account details, which will be used to return funds associated with unsettled bets or winnings captured before the self-exclusion takes effect.
Once added to the central registry, enforcement is binding: exclusion can’t be canceled until the agreed period elapses, and removal from the register is only possible after the full 12 months. This design aims to give individuals struggling with problem gambling a meaningful opportunity to break harmful patterns and regain control of their finances and behavior.
The legislation places strict compliance requirements on licensed gambling operators. Bookmakers and betting shops must verify registry status before accepting wagers, while casinos and gaming halls are obliged to refuse entry or service to self-excluded individuals. Operators are also banned from sending any form of advertising or promotions to those on the self-exclusion list.
To ensure enforcement, the law introduces penalties for breaches. Proposed amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences envisage fines of 10,000–30,000 rubles for individual officials who accept wagers from excluded persons, and 50,000–100,000 rubles for corporate entities that fail to follow proper procedures.
Russia’s regulated gambling landscape is tightly controlled: casino gambling is limited to five designated zones, and online casino games remain prohibited, though licensed sports betting operates both on-site and online through state-approved channels.
The self-exclusion system has drawn support from industry groups and lawmakers alike. Legislators from the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports emphasised the importance of such tools in combating gambling addiction and supporting individuals and families affected by compulsive play. They note that voluntary self-exclusion options already existed at some operators, but a centralized, unified register represents a more effective and consistent approach.
Moreover, Russia’s experience with a central self-exclusion portal in the financial sector — launched in May 2025 and attracting millions of participants — has bolstered confidence that a similar framework for gambling will be widely adopted.
If successfully ratified and implemented by September 2026, Russia’s self-exclusion law will place the nation among an increasing number of jurisdictions worldwide that are taking proactive steps to integrate responsible gambling mechanisms into their regulatory frameworks. It aims to empower individuals to take control of their gambling behaviour while reinforcing industry accountability and harm-reduction strategies.
