The Russian government is seeking to simplify the rules for players seeking to sign up for and online sports wagering account.
New draft rules from Russia’s Ministry of Finance would eliminate a requirement for online players to register with a centralized payment hub and then confirm that registration by presenting proof of identity at a land-based betting shop or at the bookmakers’ retail partner, according to a report at gamingtoday.com.
The draft rules state that a Russian-licensed online bookmaker “has the right to entrust … the identification of a gambling participant to the center (Russia’s centralized betting hub) for the recording of online betting of bookmakers or sweepstakes, operating in accordance with the requirements of the federal law.”
The move follows a meeting between government officials and representatives of Russia’s 14 licensed online bookmakers.
The bookmakers argued that the two-step process was difficult gamblers living in rural areas and that the entire process makes unlicensed sites—which have simpler sign up options—more attractive to players. The bookmakers asked the government to act quickly ahead of Russia hosting this year’s FIFA World Cup.
