The mechanism for voluntary self-exclusion from gambling, which we have already discussed in articles about regulating the Russian market and about the proposal to legalize online casinos, has now received specific penalties for its violation. We analyze who and how much the state can fine.
In our previous materials about the Russian gambling market, we mentioned that starting September 1, 2026, a federal mechanism for voluntary self-exclusion will be implemented in the country, while the Ministry of Finance is simultaneously proposing to legalize online casinos. However, it is one thing to grant a citizen the right to refuse to gamble, and quite another to ensure that bookmakers and casinos actually respect this right.
On July 26, 2026, the president signed a law that addresses this gap: it introduces specific fines for gambling organizers who continue to work with a person who has opted for self-exclusion. We will explore what exactly is punishable, how much it will cost the violator, and how the self-exclusion mechanism, which these fines protect, is structured.
Federal Law No. 248-FZ: fines of up to 500,000 ₽ for bookmakers and casinos
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Law | No. 248-FZ dated July 26, 2026 |
| What it changes | Amends Article 14.1.1 of the Administrative Offenses Code of the Russian Federation with new types of violations |
| Effective date | September 1, 2026 — simultaneously with the self-exclusion mechanism |
| Fine for officials | 30,000–50,000 rubles |
| Fine for legal entities | 300,000–500,000 rubles |
| Who is affected by the law | Bookmakers, totalizators, casinos, gaming machine halls |
| Minimum self-exclusion period | 12 months, cannot remove information from the list before this period expires |
What is now punishable
The new law amends Article 14.1.1 of the Administrative Offenses Code of the Russian Federation, which previously penalized illegal organization of gambling, violation of licensing conditions, and allowing minors to participate in games. Now, two new types of violations have been added — separately for different types of organizers.
Bookmakers and totalizators
Fine for accepting a bet from a person listed in the self-exclusion list — regardless of the amount of the bet and the method of acceptance.
Casinos and gaming machine halls
Fine for issuing exchange tokens to such a person and for granting them access to the gambling establishment or to their personal account on the casino website.
All gambling organizers
Sanctions are also provided for failing to post information about the procedure for submitting a self-exclusion application and for not having a QR code linking to the «Gosuslugi» portal.
What is not included in this law separately
The requirement to warn about the risks of gambling addiction on websites and in advertisements was introduced by another, earlier law — it does not concern the self-exclusion of a specific person, but rather general information for all clients.
How much will the fines be
The fine for legal entities ranges from 300,000 to 500,000 rubles. In cases of repeated violations, the financial consequences for the operator can significantly increase.
How the self-exclusion mechanism that protects this law works
If you haven't read our previous materials on regulating betting in Russia, here is a brief summary of the mechanism that will be implemented on September 1, 2026:
- A citizen submits an application for self-exclusion through the «Gosuslugi» portal or MFC.
- Self-exclusion can be set for a minimum period of 12 months. Information cannot be removed from the list before this period expires.
- During this time, bookmakers and totalizators are not allowed to accept bets from them, transfer their money, or issue gaming tokens.
- Gambling organizers are also prohibited from sending advertisements to such a person.
It is precisely for violating each of these points that Federal Law No. 248-FZ introduces financial liability — the self-exclusion mechanism without fines would exist only on paper, relying solely on the good faith of operators.
How this fits into the overall picture of regulation in 2026
This law is not an isolated piece of news but part of the overall logic that we trace in a series of materials about the Russian market throughout this year. Previously, we discussed that online casinos are banned in Russia, and legal betting is only possible with bookmakers through the regulated ERAI system and the Unified TSUPIS. Then — that the Ministry of Finance proposed to consider legalizing online casinos specifically with enhanced control over gambling addiction as one of the conditions. The fines for violating self-exclusion logically continue this vector: the state is simultaneously discussing the expansion of the legal market while tightening social protection for players within the existing system.
Timeline
- End of 2025 The basic law on voluntary self-exclusion from participation in gambling is adopted.
- June 26, 2026 A separate law is signed, canceling the mandatory withdrawal of each win strictly to the client's bank card.
- July 26, 2026 Law No. 248-FZ on fines for gambling organizers for violating self-exclusion requirements is signed.
- September 1, 2026 The self-exclusion mechanism and fines for its violation come into force simultaneously.
What will happen next
```html- how quickly will the law enforcement practice on the new types of violations appear;
- how many self-exclusion applications will citizens actually submit in the first months of the mechanism's operation;
- whether a similar model of liability will be extended to the legal segment of online casinos if the Finance Ministry's initiative is approved;
- whether there will be additional requirements for technical means to verify the player's status with bookmakers.
Conclusion
Law No. 248-FZ of July 26, 2026, transforms self-exclusion from a declarative right of the citizen into a mechanism with real financial consequences for those who ignore it. From September 1, 2026, bookmakers and totalizators risk fines of 300,000 to 500,000 rubles (for legal entities) for accepting bets from a person with a registered self-exclusion, and casinos – for issuing tokens or granting access to the establishment.
This is a logical continuation of the overall regulatory trajectory – from the legalization of betting through self-exclusion and fines for its violation to the currently discussed legalization of online casinos with similar requirements for player protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Law No. 248-FZ?
A federal law dated July 26, 2026, which supplements Article 14.1.1 of the Administrative Offenses Code of the Russian Federation with new types of administrative violations – fines for organizers of gambling for non-compliance with self-exclusion requirements.
From what date do the new fines take effect?
From September 1, 2026 – simultaneously with the start of the voluntary self-exclusion mechanism.
What will the fine be for a bookmaker for accepting a bet from a person with self-exclusion?
From 30,000 to 50,000 rubles for officials and from 300,000 to 500,000 rubles for legal entities.
What else can casinos be fined for under this law?
For issuing exchange tokens to a person with registered self-exclusion and for providing them access to a gambling establishment or personal account on the casino's website.
Can self-exclusion be canceled early?
No, self-exclusion is set for a period of at least 12 months, and it is not possible to remove information from the list before the expiration of this period.
How to apply for self-exclusion from gambling?
Through the "Gosuslugi" portal or a multifunctional center (MFC).
Are bookmakers penalized for advertising to a person with self-exclusion?
Yes, directing advertisements to persons on the list who have refused gambling is a specifically mentioned violation, for which administrative liability is also provided under Law No. 248-FZ, along with accepting bets, allowing entry to the establishment, and issuing tokens.
Is this law related to the proposal to legalize online casinos?
It is not directly related, but logically complements the discussed initiative of the Finance Ministry, which also proposes enhanced measures to prevent gambling addiction for the new legal segment.
Sources
- Federal Law of July 26, 2026, No. 248-FZ "On Amendments to Articles 14.1.1 and 28.3 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses"
- GARANT.RU – "Bookmakers will be fined for violating self-exclusion from gambling," August 2026
- "Russian Newspaper" – "Bookmakers will be fined for accepting bets from people with self-exclusion," July 2026
- "Arguments and Facts" – "The State Duma introduced fines for accepting bets from citizens with self-exclusion," July 2026
This material was prepared by BET RATING based on the text of Federal Law No. 248-FZ of July 26, 2026, and publications from Russian media as of August 2026. The law enforcement practice on the new norms will be formed after they come into effect on September 1, 2026.
Gambling is associated with the risk of losing money and can cause addiction.
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