Online gambling to be regulated by April in Belarus

The Deputy Tax and Duties Minister of the eastern European country confirmed operators will soon be able to apply for gaming licences.

Belarus.- The online gambling segment continues to take over the industry as more and more countries join the regulated market. That’s why Belarus will open the licensing process for iGaming operators next April 1st, the Deputy Tax and Duties Minister, Vladimir Mukvich, confirmed.

According to Minister Mukvich, the government expects few online casino companies to apply for licences as they “don’t see any preconditions” for a significant number to be interested in the country. Furthermore, he explained the Decree No.305 would set strict conditions for iGaming companies, in order to protect the population and said: “This will be done not with the aim of minimising the number of facilities, but to provide maximum protection to the players.”

Sergei Nalivaiko, Minister of Taxes and Levies, put the online gambling legalisation bill forward in July and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed the decree into Law earlier this month. Regulations require operators to deposit funds into a designated account created to cover any winnings or taxes that would be due if the venture collapses and also establish 21 as the minimum age for online gambling.