A Russian gambling industry chief has hit out at a leading lawyer and political activist who urged the Kremlin to fine residents found using online casinos.
Online casinos are illegal in Russia, and while the law forbids their use, gambling online is not yet a criminal offense.
But earlier this month, Ivan Kurbakov, a lawyer, politician, and the chairman of the conservative values-promoting lobbying group Otsy Ryadom (Fathers Nearby), called on lawmakers to target “end-users.”
Speaking to the Russian gambling-focused media outlet Bet On Mobile, Ruslan Suleimanov, the head of the permit-holding bookmaker Tennisi, called Kurbakov’s proposal “a bad idea.”
“As the owner of a legal bookmaker in Russia, I should be happy [with this plan],” said Suleimanov. “But we need to tackle the cause, not the effect. Organizers of illegal gambling activities must be prosecuted.”
Suleimanov said that proposals like Kurbakov’s were a slippery slope that would “end up with fines for watching YouTube, or scrolling through a banned social media feed.”
Online casinos remain firmly in the spotlight in Russia, becoming a political hot potato in recent months.
On one hand, the Ministry of Finance has urged the Kremlin to legalize and tax operators. On the other hand, lawmakers have successfully introduced a new act that will allow internet watchdogs to fast-track blocking orders against online casino websites.
Fate of Russian Gambling Industry Hangs in the Balance
Pro-gambling industry figures and their opponents continue to wield considerable political power in Russia.
Kurbakov, in an interview with the Russian media outlet Absatz, called for “limited administrative liability” for citizens who use online casinos. “This could help reduce the demand for illegal casino services, and therefore reduce criminals’ profits,” Kurbakov said.
He called for courts to be empowered to issue warnings or fines to online casino users.
But Kurbakov said his proposal would only prove effective “if combined with moves to block online casino-linked financial transactions.”
“We must improve mechanisms for identifying illegal platforms, and provide more support programs for people suffering from gambling addiction,” the Otsy Ryadom chief said.
“The state must crack down on the organizers and beneficiaries of illegal gambling. At the same time, we must remember that many gamblers need protection and legal assistance, rather than punishment,” he added.
Lawmakers Prefer to Prosecute Online Casino Operators
There are indications, however, that lawmakers prefer targeting online casino operators. Federation Council Senator Airat Gibatdinov has proposed raising the maximum fine for operators to 3 million rubles (over $40,000).
In March, Gibatdinov said that online casino operators are increasingly luring underage citizens to their platforms.
“Children don’t have money of their own,” the Senator said. “The only way they can pay for their next bet is by using illegal means.”
“We must not punish the children themselves,” said Gibatdinov. “We must protect them and instead punish the operators.”
Last year, Otsy Ryadom petitioned the government to temporarily ban alcohol sales until the end of the conflict in Ukraine.
Alcohol weakens willpower, reduces discipline and responsibility,” Kurbakov wrote in a letter to Russian ministries. “It can negatively impact the combat readiness of the armed forces. It can also impact the work of citizens and harm social stability.”
Earlier this month, police in the Russian city of Kirov arrested a teenager accused of running an electronic gambling den next to a major train station.
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A Russian gambling industry chief has hit out at a leading lawyer and political activist who urged the Kremlin to fine residents found using online casinos. Online casinos are illegal in Russia, and while the law forbids their use, gambling online is not yet a criminal offense. But earlier this month, Ivan Kurbakov, a lawyer,
The post Russian Gambling Industry Fumes at Lawyer’s Call to Fine Online Casino Users appeared first on CasinoBeats.