How the regulation of the betting market in Belarus is structured in 2026: licensing through the Ministry of Taxes and Duties, tax on winnings, new identification rules, and blocking payments to foreign gambling operators.
Belarus chose to block money, not websites
While Kazakhstan restricts foreign bookmakers through domain requirements of .KZ and .ҚАЗ, Belarus has chosen a different mechanism to impact the illegal market.
As of March 11, 2026, Belarusian banks and payment organizations restrict payments made by citizens to foreign gambling websites that do not have a license from the Republic of Belarus.
In other words, the state blocks not the internet resource itself, but the financial transaction. Even if a foreign site remains accessible, transferring money to it through the Belarusian banking system becomes significantly more complicated.
This approach differs from the usual blocking of domains and mirrors. Instead of technical access restrictions, the regulator uses banking control: if money cannot be sent to the operator, using its services becomes difficult regardless of the site's availability.
At the same time, a rule of «one person — one account» has been introduced for players, identification requirements have been strengthened, and the use of someone else's documents, bank cards, and e-wallets has been prohibited.
Let's analyze who regulates betting activities in Belarus, how tax control works through the Special Computer Cash Register System (SCKRS), what the tax on winnings is, what changed in March 2026, and how a legal bookmaker differs from an offshore one.
Timeline: how regulation has changed
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2011 | Licensing of betting activities, totalizators, and other types of gambling business is transferred to the Ministry of Taxes and Duties of the Republic of Belarus. |
| January 1, 2016 | A 4% income tax rate is established for winnings obtained from Belarusian licensed gambling operators. |
| June 6, 2025 | Presidential Decree No. 226 «On Activities in the Gambling Business» is signed. The document provides for new requirements for payments, registration, and identification of players. |
| December 30, 2025 | The Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 127-Z is adopted, which provides for a change in the income tax rate on winnings. |
| January 1, 2026 | The income tax rate on winnings from Belarusian licensed operators is increased from 4% to 5%. |
| March 11, 2026 | The key provisions of Decree No. 226 come into force: restrictions on payments to foreign gambling operators, the one account rule, and mandatory identification of players. |
| 2026 | The legal market operates under the control of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties, and bookmaker operations are accounted for through a special computer cash register system. |
Who regulates the market and how to obtain a license
The state regulator of betting activities in Belarus is the Ministry of Taxes and Duties of the Republic of Belarus (MTD). This agency issues licenses, controls the activities of operators, and conducts tax oversight of the gambling business.
A feature of the Belarusian model is the use of the Special Computer Cash Register System (SCKRS). All licensed operators are required to connect to it. Through this system, bets, winnings payouts, and other operations are recorded, allowing the state to monitor the market almost in real-time.
Thanks to the SCKRS, the Ministry of Taxes and Duties receives information about all operators' transactions, making the Belarusian system one of the most centralized among CIS countries.
| Parameter | Condition |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Ministry of Taxes and Duties of the Republic of Belarus (MTD) |
| Licensed activities | Bookmaking offices, totalizators, casinos, virtual gambling establishments, gaming machine halls |
| Mandatory accounting system | Special Computer Cash Register System (SCKRS) |
| Legal framework | Presidential Decree No. 226, Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 127-Z |
| Minimum player age | 21 years |
| Number of legal bookmakers | 7 operators (as of June 2026) |
Tax on winnings: 5% for locals, 13% for foreign operators
As of January 1, 2026, an updated taxation system for winnings is in effect in Belarus. For players using the services of licensed Belarusian bookmakers, the income tax rate is 5%.
If the winnings are obtained from a foreign operator, a rate of 13% applies. Thus, the state not only makes the legal market more attractive but also economically incentivizes players to use licensed Belarusian platforms.
| Source of winnings | Tax rate |
|---|---|
| Belarusian licensed bookmaker or casino | 5% |
| Foreign (offshore) operator | 13% |
The difference in tax burden is just one part of the overall regulation strategy. The second part is the financial restrictions introduced in March 2026, which significantly complicated the use of foreign gambling sites for Belarusian citizens.
What changed on March 11, 2026
After the key provisions of Presidential Decree No. 226 came into force, several significant changes occurred in the Belarusian gambling business.
- Blocking foreign payments. Belarusian banks ceased processing payments to foreign gambling operators that do not have a license from the Republic of Belarus.
- One person — one account. A player can have only one account with each licensed operator. Attempts to register again will be blocked.
- Mandatory identification. Registration of a gaming account is only possible after confirming identity — in person or via video identification.
- Prohibition of using someone else's data. It is prohibited to use bank cards, e-wallets, or documents belonging to other individuals, as well as to transfer one's gaming account to third parties.
In effect, the regulator simultaneously restricted the use of foreign operators, eliminated the possibility of creating multiple accounts, and significantly strengthened control over player identification.
Legal bookmakers in Belarus in 2026
As of June 2026, seven operators registered in the state register of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties have the right to accept bets on sports via the internet and at land-based betting points.
Among the most well-known licensed bookmakers are Betera, Fonbet, Winline, Maxline, Betcity, Marathonbet, and GrandSport (GG.by). All of them operate in accordance with the requirements of Belarusian legislation, are connected to the SCKRS, and undergo state control.
Additionally, the register includes a virtual gambling establishment Brazino777, which mainly specializes in online casinos, although it also offers some betting products.
Legal bookmaker vs. foreign operator
| Criterion | Licensed bookmaker of the Republic of Belarus | Foreign (offshore) operator |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer of funds | Allowed through Belarusian banks | Payments restricted since March 2026 |
| Tax on winnings | 5% | 13% |
| State control | Ministry of Taxes and Duties | None |
| Transaction accounting | Through SCKRS | Not conducted |
| Player identification | Mandatory | Not guaranteed |
| Number of accounts | One account per player | No restrictions usually |
| Dispute resolution | Within the framework of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus | Generally absent |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sports bets legal in Belarus?
Yes. Betting activities are licensed by the Ministry of Taxes and Duties of the Republic of Belarus, and only operators who have obtained the appropriate license can operate.
Can money be transferred to foreign bookmakers?
Since March 2026, Belarusian banks restrict payments to foreign gambling operators that do not have a license from the Republic of Belarus.
What tax is withheld from winnings?
For winnings from a licensed Belarusian operator, the rate is 5%. For foreign operators, a rate of 13% applies.
What is the minimum age to place bets?
Only from 21 years old. Age is verified during the mandatory identification process.
What does the «one account» rule mean?
A player can have only one account with each licensed bookmaker. Re-registrations will be blocked.
What is SCKRS?
The Special Computer Cash Register System is a state system through which bets, payouts, and settlements of licensed operators are accounted for, allowing the MTD to control the gambling market.
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