Lukashenko demands ban on payments to foreign gambling companies and a moratorium on gambling on credit
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko demanded that Belarusian banks be prohibited from processing payments to offshore iGaming operators and called for a moratorium on gambling on credit.
Control over gambling
At a meeting with the leadership of the Council of Ministers on May 29, Lukashenko touched upon the topic of the gambling business. He emphasized the need to exclude access to online gambling for minors and legally incapable persons.
The head of state noted:
- Gambling should be available only to solvent citizens.
- Players who are addicted to gambling often take out loans, sell property, which harms not only them but also their families.
There was also a discussion about introducing a mechanism allowing relatives of gambling addicts to restrict their access to gambling establishments.
Ban on transfers abroad
Lukashenko expressed concern that money lost by citizens ends up in offshore structures. He demanded that banks stop processing any transfers related to foreign gambling companies.
| Measure | Goal |
|---|---|
| Ban on transfers to foreign iGaming operators | Preserving funds in the national economy |
| Moratorium on gambling on credit | Protecting citizens from debt and social consequences |
| Restrictions for vulnerable population groups | Preventing addiction and family breakdown |
Problems and proposals
The President reminded that the gambling industry in the country is “on the rise.” Despite this, he called for stricter regulation: “We have the experience, we must finalize all the rules.”
He also stressed that money earned inside the country should work for the country, and not flow offshore. This applies not only to the gambling business but to all sectors of the economy.
Expectations following the meeting
The President instructed that all the above proposals be reflected in a draft decree and a report be submitted on the work done.
Key demands of Lukashenko:
- Ban on money transfers to foreign gambling platforms
- Moratorium on gambling on credit
- Protection of minors and legally incapable persons from access to gambling
- Possibility for relatives to restrict access of gambling addicts to gambling establishments
Thus, the state’s focus is on citizens’ safety and keeping finances within the country.