Online bingo is illegal in Russia under Federal Law No. 244-FZ, which banned most forms of gambling except in designated Special Gaming Zones (1). Online casino gaming is not legal, and only sports betting activities within specified zones may take place in physical gambling establishments (1). The Russian government established several Special Gaming Zones where casinos and other types of gambling are officially permitted, including Kaliningrad, Primorsky Krai, Altai Krai, Sochi, and Crimea (1). Bingos and lotteries operate under direct state control and monopoly, with the state-run operator Stoloto managing legal lottery and bingo activities (2).
Land-based bingo is legal in Russia as it is considered a form of lottery managed by Stoloto, the sole operator contracted by the State to facilitate bingo with real money rewards (2). Online bingo is strictly prohibited for private operators, though Stoloto manages an online bingo game called Bingo-75 through state authorization (2). Foreign operators offering bingo services are outlawed as the game is controlled by the State (2). The Federal Tax Service serves as the main licensing body for betting operations, while casino activities require permission from regional authorities within designated gambling zones (1).
"Online casino gaming is not legal; only these activities and within the specified zones may take place in physical gambling establishments."
Russia has intensified enforcement against illegal online gambling, with authorities planning renewed clampdowns including website and app blocking, restrictions on cryptocurrency payments, and creation of databases to track illegal operators (1). Companies operating gambling businesses without licenses face imprisonment of up to four years and fines ranging from 800,000 to 1.5 million rubles (2). The government established this restrictive framework to protect youth from gambling problems, minimize social costs, cut connections between organized crime and gambling, and improve taxation (2). State lotteries and licensed sports betting remain the only forms of online gambling permitted under Russian law (2).
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-russia/
https://playtoday.co/blog/guides/gambling-laws-russia/
Last updated: 28-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
