Belarus Weighs New Restrictions on Gambling and Cross-Border Payments

President Calls for Tighter Controls on Gambling Industry

In a recent meeting with the Council of Ministers, President Aleksandr Lukashenko called for significant changes in how Belarus regulates its gambling sector, particularly online betting. Stressing both ethical and economic implications, the president said banks should stop facilitating payments from Belarusian users to foreign gambling operators.

The issue, according to Lukashenko, goes beyond financial regulation. He framed it as a matter of national responsibility: protecting vulnerable groups such as minors, people with addictions, and those in financial distress.

“Firstly, it is necessary to make sure that children and incapacitated individuals cannot access online gambling and betting. Secondly, this type of entertainment should be available only to solvent people”, he said.

“This Industry Is in the Pink”

Despite the warning tone, Lukashenko acknowledged the sector’s rapid growth in Belarus. “This business is thriving in Belarus. This industry is in the pink, figuratively speaking,” he stated.

He added that while the country has relevant experience with gambling regulation, more decisive action is needed to contain the damage caused by addiction.

He cited familiar scenarios involving individuals who rack up debts, take out loans, or sell off property to fund gambling. “It affects them, their families and the society,” Lukashenko said, warning of the broader societal cost.

Suggested Moratorium on Gambling with Borrowed Funds

Among the proposed measures is a moratorium on gambling with borrowed money. Lukashenko floated the idea of empowering families of addicts to block their relatives from gambling entirely.

“Maybe we should allow family members of gambling addicts to ban them from gambling,” he said.

He also took aim at capital flight from the sector. “The money from lost apartments and cars goes to foreign gambling companies, therefore this is a matter of principle,” he added, expressing particular concern over the outflow of funds to international operators.

Ban on Cross-Border Gambling Payments

The president’s most concrete proposal involves cutting off cross-border payment flows to gambling companies. He instructed the government to explore ways of preventing banks from processing such transactions.

“To begin with, banks should be banned from transferring gambling-related money outside the country. The money earned here should be invested in the country,” he said.

Lukashenko concluded by requesting that all of these issues be addressed in a forthcoming draft decree and asked officials to report on how these “sensitive issues” will be handled.