Belarus Says Only One Gambling Restriction Case Involved a Physical Casino

The Prosecutor General’s Office reported 11 civil cases in 2025 and another eight during the elapsed part of 2026. Courts approved every application they had examined on its merits, although the overall number of proceedings remains small.

Online Gambling Accounts for Most Cases

Dmitry Brylev, head of media relations at the Prosecutor General’s Office, said at an October 8 press conference that just one ruling concerned someone visiting a land-based casino. Brylev pointed to the widespread availability of virtual betting and gambling platforms. He argued that online access makes participation easier across different age groups and locations.

The figures do not distinguish between online casino games and sports betting. They also cover court proceedings rather than the total number of people seeking gambling restrictions in Belarus.

Prosecutors Brought 17 of 19 Cases

Families can ask a court to restrict a relative’s gambling, but few have used that route themselves. The Prosecutor General’s Office said only one case in 2025 and one in 2026 were initiated by close relatives rather than prosecutors.

That leaves 17 of the 19 cases, or 89.5%, initiated by prosecutors, based on 15M’s calculation. The combined figure covers the two reporting periods, not a single calendar year.

Brylev encouraged families to contact their local prosecutor’s office before gambling-related financial problems become more severe. The process is civil rather than criminal and is intended to restrict access to gambling.

Court Restrictions Are Not the Same as Self-Exclusion

Belarus also allows players to exclude themselves from gambling without going to court. Under guidance from the Ministry of Taxes and Duties, individuals can submit a written request to a gambling operator and exclude themselves for between six months and three years. Courts can impose restrictions for the same period when gambling causes serious financial hardship for a person or their family.

Belarus tightened its gambling payment rules on March 11, 2026. Citizens can no longer pay foreign online casinos, while domestic operators face stricter identity and payment checks. 15M previously covered the country’s wider gambling market review.

The 19 court cases tell us little about the impact of those changes. They don’t include people who chose to exclude themselves from gambling without going to court. Nor do they show whether the new payment restrictions have made any difference.