Russian Lawmakers Plan to Force Bookmakers to Pay ‘Gambling Addiction Rehabilitation Tax’
Summary
Russian lawmakers are proposing a new tax for legal bookmakers aimed at funding the rehabilitation of gambling addicts. Led by Artem Metelev, Chairman of the State Duma’s Youth Policy Committee, the bill is set to be debated before the end of 2025. The proposed tax would involve bookmakers contributing a percentage of their income towards gambling addiction prevention and treatment.
Key Points
- The new tax aims to fund anti-gambling campaigns on social media and innovative treatment methods.
- There’s a plan to increase penalties for illegal online casino promotions from 2,000 rubles ($25) to 7 million rubles ($88,049).
- Courts will have the authority to identify systematic violators of gambling laws.
- An estimated 3 million Russians currently suffer from gambling addiction, with lawmakers focusing on high-risk groups such as youth.
- The proposal is part of a wider initiative to tackle illegal gambling operations using financial mules.
Why should I read this?
If you care about the gambling landscape in Russia or the ongoing debates around addiction and regulation, this article dives into a significant legislative move that could reshape the industry and address pressing social issues. It’s a must-read to stay informed on how gambling is being managed at a national level!