10 September 2026, Alexander Lukashenko instructed to further study the operation and promotion of the gambling business. For the market, this is a reason to monitor potential decisions, and for users — to understand what has really changed and what remains under discussion.
The main question: does the statement mean preparation for a ban on casinos and betting shops? The published instruction does not confirm such a conclusion. However, it would also be incorrect to consider it separately from the already existing rules: in 2026, the requirements for player identification, settlements, and organization of gambling changed in Belarus.
What happened on September 10
According to BELTA's report, Lukashenko criticized the scale of gambling advertising. In his speech, he mentioned the slogan «spin the goose», online casinos, and the betting company «Fonbet». The issue was assigned to the head of the Presidential Administration, Dmitry Krutoy.
The mention of the brand in the speech does not equate to a decision on violations, license revocation, or a ban on its activities. The BELTA news did not provide new advertising restrictions with a specific date of implementation.
Why the instruction is not a ban yet
In such news, it is important to distinguish three stages: a public statement, preparation of proposals, and adoption of mandatory rules. For users, they may sound similar, but their practical consequences are different.
The instruction to study the situation sets the direction of work. To understand whether new obligations will arise for operators, it is necessary to see a specific decision: its content, the circle of addressees, and the application deadlines. As long as these details are not present in the message under consideration, it is premature to assert that casinos are closing or that bookmakers have been banned from advertising.
It is also important to distinguish between restrictions on promotion and restrictions on the activity itself. Even if a certain advertising format is banned, this does not explain whether the company can continue to accept clients. The answer depends on the content of the relevant document.
What rules are already in effect in Belarus
The September discussion takes place against the backdrop of changes related to Decree No. 226 of June 6, 2025. In an explanation from July 14, 2026, the Ministry of Taxes and Levies described the requirements effective from March 11.
- Payments to foreign online casinos. The Ministry of Taxes indicates that banks — issuers of payment cards refuse Belarusian citizens the relevant transfers for participation in gambling.
- Identity verification. Organizers check players' documents. For registration in a virtual gambling establishment, a video session or personal visit to the organizer's gambling establishment is required.
- Ownership of payment means. Accounts, cards, and electronic wallets are checked. If they are found not to belong to the player, the corresponding transfers are not made.
- One account in one virtual establishment. Re-registered gaming accounts are subject to blocking.
These provisions relate to the existing regulation. They should not be presented as new measures that appeared after the speech on September 10.
Operator rules: fewer approvals do not mean lack of control
There is also a less noticeable change that is important for understanding the market. As explained by the Ministry of Taxes, starting March 11, 2026, the approval of the rules for organizing and conducting gambling by the ministry has been canceled. For rules falling under the relevant requirement, approval by the organizer and submission to a special computer cash system within two working days is required.
At the same time, the requirement for compliance with the law remains. The ministry specifically pointed out the administrative responsibility for conducting games according to rules that do not meet the requirements or have not been submitted to the system.
For the reader, this is a useful example: a change in administrative procedure should not be automatically perceived as a weakening of all restrictions. It is necessary to look at which obligations have been canceled and which remain or are replaced by others.
What may change for bookmakers and casinos
Next is an assessment from BET RATING, not a description of announced measures. If the discussion continues, the main significance will be the specific parameters of possible restrictions.
Advertising placement venues
The first question is where exactly the rules may change: in outdoor advertising, the internet, social media, sports broadcasts, or specific types of sponsorship integrations. Restricting one channel and restricting several channels at once require completely different solutions from businesses.
Content of advertising messages
The second question is whether the possible measures will affect the wording, visual images, and presentation of bonuses. For assessing the proposal, it is important that the conditions are clear alongside the advertising promise and are not discovered only after registration. This is especially true for the duration of the promotion, restrictions on the use of the bonus, and requirements for its wagering.
Differences between categories of operators
The third question is whether the approaches to betting shops, land-based casinos, and virtual gambling establishments will be the same. It is convenient to group them into one category in the title, but insufficient for analyzing specific requirements. The future decision will need to verify the exact scope of application.
None of the listed options should be considered an approved scenario. This is a list of questions that can be used to evaluate subsequent documents.
What this means for users
The loud news about advertising should not serve as a basis for hasty account top-ups, attempts to «hurry to grab a bonus», or passing data to intermediaries. It is better to first establish whether there is a specific change affecting your service.
When studying a bookmaker or casino, it is useful to separate brand recognition from the content of its offering. Frequent advertising makes the name familiar, but does not answer questions about bet settlement, the process for addressing complaints, or restrictions on the bonus program.
The practical order of verification may look like this:
- Determine who provides the service. Find the legal entity, the country of operation, and information about the licensing documents.
- Check the specific site. Ensure that the domain and specified details belong to the operator you are studying.
- Read the terms of the offer. Pay attention to restrictions, deadlines, and the process for addressing disputes.
- Verify the source of the news. Distinguish between official documents and retellings, advertising messages, or unconfirmed rumors.
Does this concern Russia and other CIS countries
The instruction under consideration pertains to Belarus. It cannot be concluded that there are new rules for Russian bookmakers or casinos in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other countries.
Even a familiar brand name does not replace the need to verify the specific operator. For comparing services, it is more useful to look at the combination of country, legal entity, domain, and working conditions than to rely solely on a common logo.
For the international audience, BET RATING emphasizes that this is the main practical takeaway: regional news should be read with reference to jurisdiction. A change in one country cannot be automatically transferred to the entire CIS market.
What to watch for next
The next significant event will be the publication of specific proposals, official clarifications, or regulatory decisions. When they appear, it is important to check four things:
- which operators and advertising formats are affected;
- what exactly is prohibited or becomes mandatory;
- when the changes take effect;
- whether a transitional period is provided.
So far, the published directive gives reason to say that the authorities are paying attention to the operations and advertising of the gambling business. It does not confirm either a mass closure of casinos or a ban on betting shops. The current requirements for players and settlements should be considered separately from possible future advertising measures.
This material is for informational purposes only. Gambling is associated with the risk of losing money. BET RATING does not accept bets and does not conduct gambling activities.
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