Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has proposed the legalization of online casinos to President Vladimir Putin as the government seeks new sources of revenue to address a growing federal budget deficit.
According to the state-affiliated business daily Kommersant, the Kremlin is exploring options to supplement finances amid declining international oil prices.
Siluanov estimates that revenue from online gambling could contribute around RUB100 billion ($1.3 billion) annually. The proposal suggests establishing a centralized operator to manage online casinos, allowing bets from adults over 21. Additionally, it includes a proposed tax rate of at least 30 percent on all earnings from licensed gambling companies.
Currently, online casinos are prohibited in Russia, with gambling restricted to bookmakers and betting shops. Licensed physical casinos are limited to four designated zones: the Siberian republic of Altai, the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, Krasnaya Polyana near Sochi, and Artyom in the Russian Far East.
The Russian government has come under increased financial pressure due to its ongoing military action in Ukraine, leading it to pursue new revenue streams. Prior to the conflict, Russian military spending in 2021 amounted to 3.6 percent of its GDP, which increased to 7.2 percent in 2025, according to financial reports. Some estimates place the war financing at closer to 10 percent of GDP.
