A slew of new gambling rules have come into force in Belarus, with Minsk banning citizens from transferring funds to online casinos that operate outside the country.
Unlike neighboring Russia, Belarus allows both online and land-based casinos to operate.
However, amid claims the nation is becoming saturated with online casino ads and seeing a rise in gambling-related crime, the government has recently rolled out several measures aimed at regulating the industry, the Belarusian media outlet Mst Life reported.
Belarus’ New Gambling Rules: A Transparency Boost
The government said all of these rules would increase transparency in the industry and protect casino customers. Minsk has told domestic banks and credit card firms to block all transactions to online casino sites based outside Belarus.
The government has told permit-holding gambling operators to conduct more thorough checks of players’ identities.
They must also ensure people with financial difficulties are blocked from placing bets on their platforms.
At land-based casinos, staff must now perform two checks on ID documents. Casinos must check IDs when would-be patrons enter casinos and when they make transactions at payment terminals.
KYC & New Crypto Casino Rules
For online operators, new know-your-customer (KYC) protocols have also come into force. Before launching an account at an online platform, patrons must either submit videos of themselves via their cell phone cameras using verification software or visit an online casino operator’s offices in person.
Minsk has also warned online platforms to ensure no patrons have duplicate accounts on their sites.
The new rules also include restrictions for patrons. Platforms must refuse to accept payments from gamblers who try to use other people’s bank cards, accounts, and e-wallets to place bets.
They also block crypto casinos, with an exception carved out for firms that operate in Minsk’s High-Tech Park.
The park is Belarus’ deregulated zone for crypto and blockchain-related firms. Belarus has attempted to attract overseas firms to the park, offering them special visas and tax incentives.
Another clause in the new rules stipulates that patrons may withdraw funds from their gaming accounts only after they have spent at least 70% of their deposited funds on “real” bets.
Critics had claimed some patrons had set up online casino accounts to store funds, using them as undeclared e-wallets.
Both land-based and online casinos must also ensure that players have “carefully reviewed” the rules of the casino before placing their first bet.
These rules must outline the casino’s conditions for accepting bets, their methods for calculating winnings, and details of all bonus programs.
In the case of disputes, casino operators must provide resolution options or settle matters through the civil court system.
The new rules stipulate that complaints can only be filed with the Belarusian tax authorities “if there is a suspicion that the establishment has violated its own established rules or broken the law.”
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A slew of new gambling rules have come into force in Belarus, with Minsk banning citizens from transferring funds to online casinos that operate outside the country. Unlike neighboring Russia, Belarus allows both online and land-based casinos to operate. However, amid claims the nation is becoming saturated with online casino ads and seeing a rise
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