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Russia Wants To Fine Online Poker Players


15 May, 2016 | 15:28 от Aleksandra


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Russian region of Tatarstan has proposed customers of offshore gambling sites to be fined

Despite high hopes over the last couple of years that the game could be legalized in the country, poker is still illegal. Russian’s authorities still consider it a game of chance.

Thousands of Russians still play online through offshore sites. Now, this could lead to problems for the players if the bill gets support from the authorities.

State Councilor Rafil Nugumanov, one of the bill’s sponsors, has said that this will stem problem gaming and will help to get rid of illegal online operators.

The region of Tatarstan has over 3 million residents.

According to the bill, anyone playing online poker from the next year would be fined $150 to $200. Also, underage gamblers and residents who allow online gaming in their properties could also be fined, but with bigger fine rate – $2,270.

When in March was suggested that revenues from online gambling could be used to fund other entities, many believed that Russia would soon have a legalized and regulated poker market.

And hopes had been even higher when Russia’s major betting operator Liga Stavok became the first company with a betting license in the country.

Earlier this year, in a report of International Business Times, had been said that 20 percent of Russian’s residents play poker. And this is not such a big surprise, as 8 percent of the players on PokerStars are Russians.



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