Russia Considers Lifting Online Casino Ban to Fund Budget Gaps
Russia is weighing a plan to legalize online casinos with a 30 percent tax to raise 100 billion roubles as military spending drives a search for new revenue.
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The government of Russia 
RU is considering a proposal to lift its long-standing ban on online casinos and introduce a 30 percent tax on their revenues to address mounting fiscal pressures. According to a report by the Kommersant daily on January 27, 2026, the measure could generate up to 100 billion roubles for the state budget. This potential revenue is valued at approximately 1.3 billion US Dollar/Russian Ruble , calculated at an exchange rate of 76.3705 roubles per dollar. The search for new income comes as military spending in Ukraine remains high and government revenues fail to keep pace with expenditures.
RU is considering a proposal to lift its long-standing ban on online casinos and introduce a 30 percent tax on their revenues to address mounting fiscal pressures. According to a report by the Kommersant daily on January 27, 2026, the measure could generate up to 100 billion roubles for the state budget. This potential revenue is valued at approximately 1.3 billion US Dollar/Russian Ruble , calculated at an exchange rate of 76.3705 roubles per dollar. The search for new income comes as military spending in Ukraine remains high and government revenues fail to keep pace with expenditures.Russia RU has already taken significant steps to consolidate its finances, raising taxes by a total of at least 27.6 trillion roubles in various fiscal plans since 2022. This aggressive strategy includes a recent increase in the value-added tax, which rose from 20 percent to 22 percent on January 1, 2026. This VAT adjustment is expected to contribute 4.4 trillion roubles to the budget between 2026 and 2028. Additionally, the government has scrapped certain VAT exemptions for small businesses, a move projected to bring in 200 billion roubles.
RU has already taken significant steps to consolidate its finances, raising taxes by a total of at least 27.6 trillion roubles in various fiscal plans since 2022. This aggressive strategy includes a recent increase in the value-added tax, which rose from 20 percent to 22 percent on January 1, 2026. This VAT adjustment is expected to contribute 4.4 trillion roubles to the budget between 2026 and 2028. Additionally, the government has scrapped certain VAT exemptions for small businesses, a move projected to bring in 200 billion roubles.
