What is the gambling law in Russia?

The primary legislation governing gambling in Russia is Federal Law No. 244-FZ, "On State Regulation of Activities for the Organization and Conduct of Gambling and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation." Enacted in 2006 and fully implemented in 2009, this law dramatically reshaped the Russian gambling landscape.

Its most significant provision was the nationwide ban on all gambling activities, with the exception of four designated "gambling zones" located in the Altai, Krasnodar, Kaliningrad, and Primorsky regions. Within these zones, licensed casinos and slot machine halls are permitted to operate. The law also carves out exceptions for state-run lotteries and licensed bookmakers, which are allowed to operate both online and offline.

The law is strictly enforced, and any gambling operations outside of the designated zones or without the proper licenses are deemed illegal and subject to closure and penalties. The State Tax Service is the primary regulatory body responsible for overseeing compliance with this law.