Russia blocks online gambling websites

Russian online media are reporting that the Russian internet watchdog Roskomnadzor, which started blocking international online gambling websites earlier this year has stepped up its bans as it implements the federal government’s requirements to prevent Russians from gambling online.

The latest and biggest tranche of sites blocked this week names over twenty websites owned by Russian and international operators like Fonbet, TrioBet, Vulkan-Bet, FavBet, Unibet, Titan Poker, Bwin.Party, Ladbrokes, 888Poker, Betway, Marathonbet, Jackpot City and Pinnaclesports, the reports indicate, noting that it is likely more will be added to the list.

That seems likely, given that the initial Russian blacklist published well over a year ago identified a number of major Western operators that included Sportingbet, Pokerstars and William Hill.

The federal government in Russia continues to send mixed signals regarding online gambling; earlier this year the president’s office requested that a study of online gambling be carried out, and government officials appeared to be leaning toward online sports betting regulation and licensing…but this has been followed by the current moves to hobble the industry.

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