State Duma adopted bill on self-prohibition of gambling

On May 28, the State Duma adopted the bill on self-prohibition of participation in gambling in the first reading. The document provides for the right of citizens to refuse to participate in gambling at bookmakers, sweepstakes, casinos, and slot machine halls in a separate gaming zone.

To do this, it will be necessary to send an application to the single gambling regulator for inclusion in the list of individuals who have refused to participate in such games.

The refusal period is a minimum of 12 months. The application is submitted through State Services and cannot be withdrawn.

You can remove your name from the register of "refuseniks" by applying, but only after a year has passed.

The bill prohibits bookmakers and sweepstakes from accepting bets from citizens included in this list, and casinos and slot machine halls from issuing them exchange tokens.

It is also prohibited to allow such citizens into gambling establishments, to enter into risk-based agreements with them about winnings, and to send them advertising messages.

The government supports the bill, provided it is revised, RIA Novosti notes. It highlights the lack of justification for why the obligation to develop and approve regulations on responsible gambling does not apply to bookmakers and betting shops.

Author: Elina Akhmetova