Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor has begun blocking national IP access to a number of online betting and gaming websites.
The regulator states that it has been granted direct permission by the Russian government to block access to international/remote operators deemed unlicensed by Russia’s authorities. Roskomnadzor officials further added that international operators had been warned previously of offering betting services to Russian consumers.
Russian news sources have reported that operators; Triobet, Betway, Unibet, 888Poker and bwin.party brands have had their websites blocked. Furthermore Eastern European focused operators Favbet, TrioBet, VulkanBet and 1xbet have also been restricted access.
2015 has seen the Russian government step up its efforts to restrict consumer wagering on unlicensed online gambling operators. The state Duma (legislator) had earlier in the year passed new federal regulations outlawing banks from processing transactions on blacklisted operators.
Roskomnadzor and Russia Federal Authorities stated that they would pursue every avenue to rid online gambling access by national consumers. Roskomnadzor may further move to block access to Russian language referral sites promoting online gambling websites.