Belarus to toughen requirements to gambling, including virtual gambling

Players lose more than they win. Excitement can lead to financial problems, and to family shocks. The changes in the gambling business were discussed today in Minsk. The presidential decree defined new requirements, increased age restrictions for players. The document is comprehensive, it covers all areas of organizing and conducting gambling, including virtual gambling.

The first online casinos will appear in Belarus on April 1, 2019. The activity of gambling establishments has always been under special control of the state, and therefore the work of casinos on the Web will be checked even more carefully.

Among the priority tasks is the social security of people. Among the measures already implemented: the limitations of gamblers visiting the casino, checking and controlling the game process. The new document will present even more stringent requirements to the organization of gambling. So, it is forbidden to visit casinos for persons under 21 years old, the player's identification has been introduced. The video surveillance system in the casino is mandatory. As for virtual gambling establishments, they will be connected to the cash system, accessible to state bodies, a record of the entire game process will be kept.

The decree is designed to ensure transparency in the activities of gambling establishments.

Today in Belarus there are 106 business licenses for opening a casino. They bring 0.2% of tax revenues to the budget. According to experts, about half of existing casinos will be able to master gambling activity on the Internet.