Russian Lawmakers Plan to Force Bookmakers to Pay ‘Gambling Addiction Rehabilitation Tax’
Summary
Russian lawmakers are proposing a new tax, termed the ‘Gambling Addiction Rehabilitation Tax’, aimed at funding treatments for those suffering from gambling addiction. Artem Metelev, Chairman of the State Duma’s Youth Policy Committee, indicated that discussions regarding this bill will take place before the end of 2025.
The tax will require bookmakers to contribute a percentage of their income to support gambling addiction prevention efforts, including anti-gambling campaigns and training for healthcare providers. Additionally, the proposals outline stricter penalties for illegal online gambling promotions.
Key Points
- Proposed tax for bookmakers to fund gambling addiction rehabilitation.
- Will include stricter penalties for illegal gambling promotions.
- Estimate of 3 million Russians affected by gambling addiction-related issues.
- Tax aims to raise funds for anti-addiction publicity campaigns.
- The new tax would be collected by the Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI).
Why should I read this?
If you care about the future of gambling regulation in Russia or are involved in the gaming industry, this article is definitely worth a read. It highlights an important shift in how lawmakers are addressing gambling addiction—a growing concern across the globe. Staying informed on these developments could impact legislation and market behaviour in the gaming sector.