The Russian State Duma, the lower house of parliament, has approved a legislative measure aimed at establishing a nationwide self-exclusion system for individuals seeking assistance in managing their gambling activities. This development occurred in December 2025, with the proposed system set to be operational by 1 September 2026, pending consent from the Federation Council and the President. This initiative is significant from a regulatory standpoint as it represents a structured approach to mitigating gambling-related harm by allowing individuals to voluntarily prohibit themselves from participating in gambling activities.
Once enacted, the legislation will enable Russian citizens to register their names in a self-exclusion database, effective for a minimum period of 12 months, without the possibility of early withdrawal. This move will prevent gambling operators, including bookmakers, casinos, and slot machine venues, from processing transactions for those registered in the system or targeting them with promotional materials. Proponents of the bill assert that it is a vital step in addressing gambling addiction, offering individuals the tools to exercise control over their gambling behaviors. Maxim Topilin, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, emphasized the bill’s potential to support both those struggling with gambling issues and their families.
To enroll in the self-exclusion program, individuals will be required to submit an application through the unified gambling regulator’s platform via the State Services portal, Gosuslugi, or by visiting government offices such as Multifunctional Centres. Applicants must provide personal identification and banking information to facilitate the process. This legislative effort builds on the existing self-exclusion framework for loans, which has seen over 20 million citizens enroll since its inception in May 2025.
The initiative has garnered support from Russia’s gambling sector, with industry stakeholders, including the Association of Operators of the Entertainment and Sports and Entertainment Industry, actively participating in drafting the legislation. Prior to this, Russian gamblers could self-exclude on an operator-by-operator basis. Currently, the legal gambling landscape in Russia permits both online and retail sports betting but prohibits online casino games. Physical casino gambling is restricted to specific regions designated as gambling zones, such as Krasnaya Polyana in Sochi and Primorye near Vladivostok.
According to the Ministry of Finance, gambling activities in Russia generated a turnover of approximately 4.7 trillion roubles ($59 billion) in 2024, underscoring the significant scale of the sector. The introduction of a national self-exclusion mechanism is anticipated to influence market dynamics by potentially reducing the number of active players and enhancing responsible gambling measures.
Internationally, Russia is not alone in implementing comprehensive self-exclusion frameworks. Brazil recently introduced a similar system on 10 December 2025, mandating rigorous player management protocols across all licensed operators. This trend reflects a growing recognition of the need for structured regulatory interventions to tackle gambling-related challenges globally.
As Russia moves forward with this legislative process, the bill’s final approval by the upper house and presidential assent remain pending. Should the law be enacted, the next steps will involve setting up the necessary administrative and technical infrastructure to support the self-exclusion system, ensuring compliance among gambling operators, and monitoring its impact on the market and individuals. The implementation will be closely observed to assess its efficacy and potential as a model for other jurisdictions grappling with similar issues.
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