The Russian Minister of Sports reported to the President on the misuse of ₽35 billion from bookmaker contributions last year
The Russian Minister of Sports reported to the President on the misuse of ₽35 billion from bookmaker contributions last year — “part of the funds went in the wrong direction”
Minister of Sports and Head of the Russian Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyarev reported to the President on the situation regarding the distribution of bookmaker contributions to sports federations.
Control over the use of funds
According to last year’s results, the total amount of contributions from gambling amounted to 35 billion rubles. These funds are allocated for the development of Russian sports, including youth sports and support for Olympic disciplines.
However, as reported by Mikhail Degtyarev, part of the funds in sports federations was spent improperly.
Involvement of law enforcement agencies
The Minister noted that together with law enforcement agencies, cases of misuse of bookmaker funds were identified. This served as a basis for structural changes in the distribution of these funds.
Creation of the Russian Sports Fund
By order of the President of Russia, a new distribution mechanism is being created — the Russian Sports Fund.
This fund will:
- accumulate all revenues from bets on international sports events;
- ensure spending transparency;
- allocate funds for priority purposes: development of youth sports and support for Olympians;
- be monitored by the Accounts Chamber.
Main areas of fund allocation
| Target Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Youth Sports | Funding for sports clubs, competitions, and infrastructure for young athletes |
| Support for Olympians | Awards, scholarships, training and participation in international tournaments |
| Expense Control | Transparent reporting and monitoring by the Accounts Chamber |
The future of sports funding in Russia
The creation of the Russian Sports Fund is aimed not only at solving current problems but also at establishing a stable and transparent system for distributing gambling-related revenues.
Mikhail Degtyarev emphasized that the new funding mechanism will be as transparent as possible, and all funds will be used strictly for their intended purpose.
This is expected to increase trust in the distribution system and contribute to the development of sports at all levels.