Self-excluded gamblers in Russia will not be able to revoke the measure, which must be in place for at least 12 months.
Russia has taken a decisive step in the creation of a self-exclusion programme for those wishing to abstain from gambling.
The country’s lower house of Parliament passed legislation that would see the mechanism become available from 1 September 2026. The bill now requires approval from the upper house and the president to become law.
Any citizen will be able to add their name and details to the self-exclusion portal. The period of self-exclusion must be for at least 12 months and cannot be revoked. Once added, gambling companies operating bookmakers, betting shops, casinos and slot machine parlours will not be able to accept transactions from the individual or send them marketing materials.
According to the legislation’s supporters, the programme seeks to tackle gambling addiction and support those already requiring help.
“The adoption of this bill is important both for people suffering from gambling addiction and for their loved ones. It will help reduce the risk of addiction by empowering people to take control of their gambling habits,” said Maxim Topilin, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy.
To self-exclude, the individual must submit an application to the unified gambling regulator via the State Services portal, Gosuslugi, or by visiting a government office such as a Multifunctional Centre (MFC). As well as submitting personal identification, they will also be required to provide their bank account details.
Russia already has a self-exclusion portal for loans, with more than 20 million citizens having signed up since its introduction in May 2025.
Industry support and Russia’s gambling landscape
Russia’s gambling industry has largely supported the inclusion of self-exclusion legislation. The Association of Operators of the Entertainment and Sports and Entertainment Industry (AIRIS) trade group having participated in the drafting of the bill. Individuals could already voluntarily self-exclude from gambling premises on an operator-by-operator basis.
In Russia, online and retail sports betting is legal, while online casino games are outlawed. Casino gambling is legal exclusively in five officially designated gambling zones – Krasnaya Polyana (Sochi, Krasnodar Krai), Siberian Coin (Altai Krai), Primorye (near Vladivostok), Yantarnaya (Kaliningrad Oblast) and Crimea (Crimean Peninsula).
According to Russia’s Ministry of Finance, in 2024, legal gambling turnover in Russia amounted to 4.7 trillion roubles ($59 billion).
Brazil is another market to have recently implemented a national self-exclusion programme for local gamblers. This was enforced on 10 December and requires extensive player management across all operators.