The Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor has stepped up its efforts to block illegal gaming-related websites in the country, according to local media reports.
The regulator is targeting online poker rooms, online casinos, and bookmaking websites as well as news and analytical web portals, such as Championat, Bookmakers’ Rating and some others. The regulator may also penalize portals such as Championat and other media owners if they are found to have promoted illegal gambling websites.
Reports in Russian media say as many as 6,000 sites have been affected by the regulator since 2015 and as many as 800 have reportedly been blocked in this new effort which began last month. Also, at least 50 applications in Apple’s AppStore and Google Play have been blocked by the regulator.
According to the reports, the Russian government told the agency to widen its IP-restrictions and website monitoring to include Russian language affiliates and sports betting portals.
Alexei Tkachuk, Bookmakers’ Rating editor in chief said the moves have been linked with Russia’s plans to introduce a ten percent tax on online gambling proceeds in an interview with the Russian publication News of Gambling.
Tkachuk said the moves are designed to help sites officially registered with the country.
“It is for the benefit of the Russian bookmaking community, as it facilitates competition in the Internet—the share occupied by the leaders of the world’s bookmaking business on the Russian market will soon be reduced,” he said.
