Russian City Seeks to Penalize Online Gamblers

Russia is decades removed from a communist ruled government. Yet, the country still remains one of the strictest when it comes to online gambling. All forms of online gambling are considered illegal in Russia with no regulated market. Ironic, being that many of the top professionals come out the country. Russia also outlaws any form of live gambling and regularly penalizes those who insist on breaking this law. Landlords who rent out a property where gambling is taking place can be fined. A Media Guard organization also represents the country in cracking down on gambling by responding to complaints about underage gambling with immediate action. Most sites reported, and their mirror sites are added to a block list almost instantly after report. While gambling is technically illegal, most of the country pays little attention to the player. Most sanctions are imposed on operators and site owners. However, the city of Tatarstan is trying to change that. A city with a population of 3.8 million in central Russia is nothing to sneeze about. Politicians seek to propose a bill that will fine any resident of the city caught playing online poker, or gambling. Fines could range from $150, up to $300. Underage gamblers will also be targeted, as well as their parents. Online gambling is restricted in many countries, but the action of fining the player has yet to be heard of. Some states have tried the same in the past in the U.S., but not one count of this happening was ever documented. This law was never passed and never heard of again. Poker rooms and online casinos still exist in the country in a grey, unregulated area. But such a mass market is hard to turn down by these sites. It's unclear if the bill will be passed, and what effect it will have on the rest of the country. But the thought of being levied a fine for playing online poker makes most of us sick to our stomachs. While one city seeks to crack the whip on online gaming, considerations have been heard about doing the opposite. Russia is a country facing financial concerns as of late; and online gambling is usually the first place politicians look to make some extra money for their budgets. With an estimated 20% of Russians population participating in some form of online gambling, the taxes earned from that flow of money is too large to turn away from.