Lukashenko Calls for Decision on Belarus Gambling Market
The subject came up during a meeting on licensing. Lukashenko asked Dmitry Krutoy, head of the Presidential Administration, to examine the gambling business and its advertising. He later addressed State Control Committee Chairman Vasily Gerasimov, saying the review should involve other officials as well.
Fonbet and Maxline Ads Draw Lukashenko’s Attention
Advertising took up a noticeable part of the discussion. Lukashenko referred to Fonbet and also complained about Maxline’s “spin the goose” campaign. He questioned the amount of gambling promotion visible in Belarus and said the country had “turned into a casino.” Krutoy responded that the industry was already heavily regulated.
Money leaving Belarus was another concern raised at the meeting. Lukashenko said State Control Committee checks had identified large financial flows going abroad from the sector and asked officials to look at where the money was going.
A figure of roughly $500 million also surfaced during the exchange. Lukashenko referred to claims that businesses could lose that amount because of state measures, but Gerasimov dismissed the number as manipulation. There is therefore no official $500 million estimate for either industry losses or gambling-related outflows.
Belarus Was Already Looking at Gambling Ads
The September 10 discussion lands while a separate advertising proposal is still moving through the government. Belarus’ Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade published draft changes on August 21. Among the proposed measures are tighter time limits for gambling advertising on television and radio and restrictions on its distribution online and in vehicles.
The draft also targets the content of ads. It would prohibit images of people and animals and stop operators from advertising betting bonuses.
That creates a direct link with one of the examples raised by Lukashenko. Maxline’s campaign uses a goose character, while animal imagery is one of the formats MART wants removed from gambling advertising.
The bill remains a proposal and has not entered into force.
Payment Rules Changed in March
Advertising is not the only part of Belarus’ online gambling framework that has changed in 2026. Since March 11, Belarusian citizens have been unable to send gambling payments to foreign online casinos. The Ministry of Taxes and Duties says card-issuing banks must reject those transactions.
The March rules also tightened player checks. Operators must verify identity and the ownership of payment instruments, while players cannot use another person’s account, bank card or electronic wallet. Multiple gaming accounts are also prohibited.
Market Implications
No immediate compliance change follows from the September 10 meeting. But for licensed operators and gambling advertisers, it raises the prospect that the next round of measures could go beyond the MART advertising draft and address the wider structure of the market.