Russia’s top betting sites ✔️ 

This post will be of great assistance if you are looking for the top Russia Betting Sites with generous odds and eye-catching promos. Russia is the world’s largest country, a founding member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the leading republic of the USSR from 1922 to 1991. All forms of gambling were outlawed in the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic (SFSR) in 1928. The blanket prohibition was abolished in 1989, two years before the Soviet Union disintegrated. But, 20 years later, in 2009, gambling was outlawed practically everywhere in the country. Russians are now only permitted to bet in five approved areas. However, both land-based and online gambling is permitted throughout the country. There are currently over 20 regulated betting sites in Russia, including Fonbet and 1xStavka. Nonetheless, gamblers are always looking for new ways to wager. As a result, they also place their bets with well-known worldwide online bookmakers.

Russia Online Betting: The Gambling Law Framework 📝

Soon after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, all gambling operations, including land-based betting, were lawful in Russia. The first act governing the legality of gambling enterprises was passed in 1998, resulting in the development of hundreds of betting shops and casinos around the country. Nonetheless, things started to change in 2006, when Vladimir Putin’s government decided it was time to control the local gaming landscape. More specifically, Federal Law No. 244-FZ was passed on December 29, 2006, and went into effect on January 1, 2007. All casinos were shuttered as of July 1, 2009, and gambling became permitted only in four special zones in the Altai, Kaliningrad, Krasnodar, and Primorsky regions. Furthermore, online casinos were prohibited; nonetheless, gambling remained legal throughout the country. Since 2019, Crimea has been designated as the fifth special zone.

On July 21, 2014, Russia took the initial steps toward regulating online sports betting. That is when the Federal Law of 2006 was revised and the interactive bet system was implemented. Only bookies who meet a number of particular conditions can provide interactive bets. More specifically, a bookie must have a Federal Tax Service licence, be a member of a self-regulatory organisation of bookmakers (SRO), and be linked to the centralised financial processing system known as TSUPIS. SROs were established as the primary regulatory control institutions for Russian betting enterprises. In the country today, there are two SROs for betting sites: the First SRO and the Bookmakers SRO. The bookmakers that now dominate the market are Fonbet, 1xStavka, Liga Stavok, and BetCity.

Changes on the horizon in the Russian betting market ✍

Through bill 493-FZ of December 30, 2020, the State Duma has voted for a new set of regulations. The modifications are set to take effect in September 2021 and will halt the activities of the two SROs. All procedures will be overseen by a Unified Gambling Regulator, which will report to the Ministry of Finance. Operators must choose between getting a sports betting licence and a tote betting licence. All interested parties must offer an RUB 500 million guarantee as well as confirmation of RUB 1 billion in assets. Furthermore, bookmakers will be required to allocate 1.5 percent of the value of all accepted bets to sports federations, with a quarterly minimum barrier of RUB 30 million.

The upcoming provisions have been heavily criticised. Furthermore, Bwin.ru was the first operator to publicly declare its exit from the Russian betting sector. At the same time, Bet365 ru began offering its services to Russian bettors on March 26, 2021. As a result, opinions on the planned adjustments are mixed. On the one hand, some argue that the two SROs have provided fair competition and, as a result, superior services to both players and operators. Others argue that the new regulator will assist local sports federations through taxation. Furthermore, it will be easier to monitor and crack down on unlawful online operators, as well as ensure that all Russia betting sites operate under the same legal framework.

Important information for bettors 🚨

The adoption of the interactive bet system in 2014 provided a legal foundation for online gambling in Russia. The first Russian sports betting sites that satisfied the aforementioned criteria appeared in 2016, and local authorities began their fight against unlawful operators. Roskomnadzor, the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media, has begun blocking foreign unlicensed betting sites.

Those who access those sites, however, are not prosecuted. Furthermore, some gamblers place bets with unlicensed bookmakers in order to avoid paying taxes on earnings. More specifically, those who place bets on licenced bookmakers are subject to a 13 percent tax on their net earnings under Federal Law No. 354-FZ, which went into effect on January 1, 2018. The most recent law, enacted in December 2020, makes no mention of any revisions. Furthermore, once again, regulations and restrictions are primarily aimed at operators rather than players.

Russian betting sites that are licenced 📜

In Russia, there are now only 20 legal betting companies operating throughout the country. All authorised bookmakers hold an active Federal Tax Service licence and are members of one of the two self-regulatory organisations for bookmakers (SROs). The First SRO has authority over the following licensees: Liga Stavok, Winline ru, BetCity, Parimatch.ru, Tennisi, Melbet.ru, 1xStavka, Poolbet, and Mostbet.

Marathonbet.ru, Fonbet ru, Leon.ru, Baltbet, Olimp, Bet365.ru, BetBoom, Zenit.win, GGbet, Pin-Up.ru, and Bettery are also under the Bookmakers SRO. It is unclear whether the new regulator would conduct a thorough evaluation of all registered bookmakers. According to reports, it will do so under the new set of mandatory standards (i.e. bank guarantee, proof of assets).

In Russia, there are unlicensed betting sites ⚠️ 

Given that just a few bookies are licenced in Russia, it is unsurprising that others operate without a municipal permit. The great majority of unlicensed sportsbooks are large worldwide companies that accept Russians and operate in the country’s market despite the presence of Roskomnadzor. The most well-known are 888sport and Pinnacle.

However, there are certain Russian bookmakers who are well-known around the world but have not sought for a domestic licence. Take, for example, Betwinner. Remember that you can visit the aforementioned bookies directly through their.com website, or, if it is blocked, through their mirror websites.

How to Deposit at Online Bookmakers in Russia  💰

Currently, all legal betting sites are linked to TSUPIS, a centralised payment processing system for online gaming transactions. It is essentially an immediate banking mechanism designed to process deposits and withdrawals from legitimate Russian bookmakers. Bettors who choose licenced operators must open a TSUPIS account. To process gaming transactions, each of the two SROs has created a distinct TSUPIS system. Thus, sportsbooks under the First SRO operate on the First TSUPIS platform, whilst those under the Bookmakers SRO operate on the TSUPIS ‘Qiwi Bank’ platform.

However, in December 2020, in conjunction with the implementation of the new law, the Central Bank penalised (RUB 11 million) the bank affiliated with the Qiwi Group and prohibited its transactions. This was announced alongside the announcement of the establishment of a new credit institution to serve as a vehicle for the financing of all online gambling activities in Russia, including sports betting. In practise, this means the end of the two TSUPIS as we know them.

However, gamblers who place bets with well-known international bookies are more familiar with e-wallets such as Moneta, WebMoney, and YooMoney. As a result, the leading Russia betting sites, such as Bet365 and 888sport, offer deposits and withdrawals via several e-wallets. 888sport, for example, accepts WebMoney.

Russia’s Top Sports 💯

There are various sports markets that are popular in Russia. The most popular sports for spectators, bettors, and players are mentioned below. As you can obviously understand, there is a tremendous interest in sports betting sites in Russia, and the native populace enjoys following and betting on the sports listed in the table below.

Football: World Cup Host Countries

The 2018 World Cup in Russia will be remembered as one of the most thrilling ever. Many upsets occurred, the host nation outperformed many predictions, and the tournament gave a platform for many new talented talents. Check out the comprehensive guide to betting on football in Russia.

Top National Team in Ice Hockey

Russia is a formidable challenger in ice hockey, producing a large number of top-tier NHL players. Domestically, the Russian hockey league is one of the most popular and talented in the world. We may recommend a number of ice hockey betting sites.

Strength in Depth in Volleyball

Volleyball is a sport that is quite popular in Russia. The fact that the game is played indoors in a sports facility complements the country’s harsh winter environment. The Russian volleyball team has had a lot of success at international tournaments. Check out our volleyball betting guide for more information.

Bandy: It’s unlikely. Contender

Bandy is regarded as a national sport in Russia and is often referred to as “Russian ice hockey.” The sport first debuted in Russia in 1898 and has since become a national treasure. You can bet on bandy and discover more about the specialised sport by visiting our dedicated guide.

Winter Olympics in Sochi

The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi became one of the country’s most contentious sporting events. Following the findings by whistleblowers that the country engaged in systemic doping coverups. Read the guide and place your bets on winter sports betting sites.

Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts: Povetkin and Nurmagomedov

Russia has long been a haven for top-tier boxers and MMA competitors. Povetkin, a heavyweight boxer, and Khabib, the indisputable finest pound-for-pound fighter of all time, are two of Russia’s most cherished assets. Check out the best boxing betting sites here.

The sports mentioned above are only a few samples of what is available at Russia betting sites. As you can obviously guess, Russia is a country that lives on the popularity of its main sports markets, but there are many more that we haven’t included. Keep in mind that customers who bet on sports in this country have many more possibilities.

When compiling the comprehensive list of gaming possibilities in Russia, we took into account a wide range of different sports markets. The six listed in the table above were crucial to this rating. However, in addition to this variety, gamers have access to a plethora of other gaming possibilities. A typical Russian sportsbook will provide more than 30 different sports betting markets. With a significant depth of talent in the leagues of a chosen sport.

Licensing and Laws on Russia Sports Betting 🥇

The gambling rules in Russia are particularly specific to each region of the country. There are currently only four subjects in the country where residents can publicly wager online or at a casino. Altai, Krasnodar, Kaliningrad, and Primorsky are among them. There is a high concentration of commercial gambling choices in these places, with the Russian government seeking to develop the Las Vegas of the East in the seaside city of Vladivostok.

Legalizing gambling has become a major policy issue for the Russian government since the turn of the century. On the one hand, it generated enormous amounts of revenue for the public budget through the collection of winnings taxes – but a considerable chunk of this was countered by the harm done to public health. Slot machines, legal online betting sites, and casinos proliferated rapidly throughout Russia in the early 2000s, becoming an epidemic in its own right.

To put an end to the gambling fuelled expansion of a lawless business culture, the Russian government decided that in 2009 more stricter restrictions would need to be adopted in order to bring the industry back under control. They cracked down on the free gambling culture, effectively closing down all franchisees, tiny casinos, and sports betting websites throughout Russia.

All legal sports betting sites and regulated gambling are located in the four aforementioned economic zones. The goals of these restrictions were to remove the ease-of-access factor from densely populated residential areas while retaining the financial rewards that come from the industry’s enablement. Check out the list below for some of the best gaming options for Russians.

Moscow had thousands of locations offering gambling services to people in the early 2000s, but since the law changed, many of these have been closed down. Of course, the vast majority were forced underground and continue to operate as unregistered and unregulated operators on the illicit market. We cannot promote these businesses, and will only feature bookmakers on this site supplying legal and safe betting services to its consumers.

Varieties of Bets 🎯

The markets and bet types accessible were another major ranking feature we looked at while evaluating Russian gaming businesses. The greatest sportsbooks in the business offer the most gambling possibilities to its customers. There is no value in a sportsbook that cannot satisfy the user’s betting hunch and fails to provide markets.

In the table below, we have highlighted some of the most popular gambling choices utilised by Russian consumers. These are not sport-specific, but they do provide a good indicator of what to expect while betting in this country. Take a look at the examples below to see what you may expect to discover when betting in Russia.

• Both Teams to Score • Over 2.5 Goals • Asian Handicap • Total Card • Total Corners • Total Shots • Half-Time Score • Total Throw Ins • Total Free Kicks • Total Goal Kicks • Double Chance

The preceding list is far from complete of the gambling alternatives offered at Russia betting sites. This snapshot of the accessible gambling markets is representative of some of the most popular in the country. As you can undoubtedly guess, there are many similarities between these options and those in other established economic countries, although Russians do have specialist areas in which to wager, many of which we’ve mentioned in the above overview of possible bet types.

Russia’s Online Gambling Future 🚀

Even if the Russian government claims the country’s online betting business is well-regulated, the harsh reality is that it is not. The new system that will replace the two SROs has yet to be implemented. Players are still taxed on their earnings while betting with regulated bookmakers, thus the majority of them prefer to play with unlicensed companies.

The biggest bookmakers in Russia are actually large worldwide businesses, and despite the coming advent of the new regulator, things do not appear to be improving for them. As a result, the Russian betting environment, particularly for overseas operators, still requires a more flexible set of restrictions.

Russia’s complete list of sports betting websites 👇

We currently include all available bookies that offer their services to local bettors after thoroughly evaluating the domestic betting market. There are numerous viable possibilities; simply select the one that best meets your needs.

FAQ

Q: Is it legal to bet online in Russia?

Yes, since the enactment of Federal Law No. 244-FZ on January 1, 2007, all types of online gambling, including sports betting, have been completely legal in Russia. Furthermore, as of July 21, 2014, when the Law was changed and the interactive bet system was formally adopted, internet betting is deemed regulated.

Q: Is there a licenced international bookmaker in Russia?

Bet365 is the only popular international brand that has been granted a local licence among the current licensees that operate in the country. As of March 26, 2021, it is legally under the control of the Bookmakers SRO.

Q: Are there any offshore bookmakers that accept Russian bets?

Yes, there are a number of foreign online bookies that allow Russian gamblers and cater to their demands by establishing Russian-language websites. However, the most popular are 888sport, Pinnacle, and Evobet.

Q: Do any overseas sportsbooks accept the RUB?

When betting online, it is critical to be able to fund your account using your local currency. As a result, there are numerous offshore bookmakers that accept RUB deposits. The most well-known are Pinnacle, Campobet, and Librabet.

Q: What is the most popular sport for betting in Russia?

Russia is well-known for its harsh winters. As a result, it’s no wonder that winter sports like ice hockey and skiing are among the most popular activities to wager on in Russia. Basketball and martial arts are also popular among Russian bettors, but football is the most popular.

Q: Can I access Betfair from Russia?

No, it doesn’t. More specifically, Betfair Russia has decided to cease operations in the nation on May 5, 2020. However, with the impending reforms, it may reconsider its stance and finally apply for a local licence.

Q: What is the difference between 888.ru and 888sport?

No, it doesn’t. 888 ru was a domestic brand that previously operated under the jurisdiction of the First SRO. Its operations, however, have terminated as of September 30, 2021. 888sport, on the other hand, is a popular worldwide sportsbook that allows local bettors and has a website that is tailored in Russian.