Russian Lawmakers Plan to Force Bookmakers to Pay ‘Gambling Addiction Rehabilitation Tax’
Summary
Russian lawmakers are proposing a new tax on legal bookmakers to fund gambling addiction treatment initiatives. The bill, expected to be debated before the end of 2025, suggests that bookmakers contribute a percentage of their income towards preventing gambling addiction voluntarily.
The intended use for the tax includes funding anti-addiction ad campaigns on social media and the development of better treatment methods for gamblers. Lawmakers are also looking to increase penalties for illegal online gambling promoters.
Key Points
- The proposed tax aims to fund support and treatment for gambling addiction in Russia.
- The enforcement authority will be the Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI).
- Maximum fines for illegal gambling promotion could increase from 2,000 rubles to 7 million rubles.
- Lawmakers cite around 3 million people in Russia suffering from gambling-related issues.
- There’s a focus on protecting young people from getting trapped in gambling habits.
Why should I read this?
If you’re interested in gambling regulations or the impact of betting on society, this article is a must-read! It dives into how governance is trying to tackle gambling addiction—an issue affecting millions—through new policies. Plus, the financial implications for bookmakers could reshape the industry landscape.