Casino and gambling in Belarus
Belarus occupies a special place in the post-Soviet space as one of the first countries to legalize online gambling.
The government relied on transparent regulation and control through state mechanisms.
Thanks to this, Belarus has become an attractive jurisdiction for operators and investors, as well as a center for legal casinos in Eastern Europe.
Legislative framework
The main regulatory act regulating the field of gambling is Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 9 of November 23, 2018, which legalized online gambling and established uniform rules for land-based and Internet casinos.
Main principles of legislation:- allowing gambling only under licence;
- mandatory registration of operators in Belarus;
- financial flow control and taxation;
- creation of a Single Rate Processing Center (ETOC);
- protecting players and preventing addiction;
- prohibition of participation of persons under 21 years of age.
- Ministry of Taxes and Duties (MNS) - issues licenses and controls taxes;
- Ministry of the Interior - monitors compliance with the law;
- National Bank - regulates payment systems and foreign exchange transactions.
Online casinos in Belarus
Belarus became the first CIS country where online casinos received official status and legal regulation.
Operators are required to obtain a license to operate on the Internet and connect to the ECOC - the state platform through which all game transactions pass.
This ensures:- Real-time monitoring of all rates and payouts
- fraud protection;
- reliable statistics and tax transparency.
- registration of the company in Belarus;
- having a gambling licence;
- storage of game servers in the country;
- connection to the MCC;
- the age of the players is 21 +;
- mandatory identity verification;
- publishing responsible play information.
- Casino Belarus, Slot. by, GrandCasino. by, PariMatch. by, Evobet. by, Eldorado. by, Gaminator. by.
Many of them also operate offline establishments and operate within the framework of the Belarusian jurisdiction.
Land-based casinos
Belarus is actively developing the offline gambling segment, especially in Minsk and tourist areas.
There are more than 30 licensed casinos in the country, including:- Shangri La Minsk,
- Victoria Cherry Casino,
- Opera Casino,
- X.O. Casino,
- Royal Casino Minsk,
- Nirvana Casino,
- Grand Casino Minsk.
Casinos are located in large hotels, as well as in resort regions (Brest, Grodno).
Each institution operates according to strict rules: video surveillance, mandatory registration of players, betting limits and reporting to the MNS.
Taxation
Belarus uses a flexible tax system that stimulates the development of the industry.
Thanks to this system, the state receives a stable income without overloading operators.
Unified Rate Center (ECOC)
ECOC is a unique development of Belarus, an analogue of European monitoring systems (for example, GREF in the EU).
All operators are required to connect their servers to the center, which records every bet, win and movement of funds.
ECOC functions:- collecting data on all gaming sessions;
- Automatic tax calculation
- blocking suspicious transactions;
- protecting the rights of players.
Thanks to the ECOC, Belarus ensures full transparency of gambling - both for the state and for customers.
Responsible play
Belarus actively implements Responsible Gaming principles:- players can restrict access to gambling on their own;
- operators are obliged to inform about the risks of addiction;
- participation of credit funds in rates is prohibited;
- bonuses that stimulate excessive play are prohibited;
- there is a national register of persons limited in participation in gambling.
The state also finances programs for the prevention of gambling addiction and cooperates with psychological centers.
Payment methods
Belarusian casinos accept payments in Belarusian rubles (BYN) through:- Visa, MasterCard, Belkart;
- ERIP (unified payment system);
- bank transfers;
- electronic wallets WebPay, Assist, PayOk;
- Apple Pay, Google Pay;
- cryptocurrencies - are allowed for exchange through regulated exchangers.
All settlements go through national payment gateways, which ensures security and compliance with AML requirements.
Economic importance
Gambling has become a significant part of the Belarusian economy.
According to the MNS (2024):- total market turnover exceeded BYN 1.2 billion;
- annual tax revenues - about 200 million BYN;
- the sector employs more than 5,000 people;
- online gambling accounts for about 60% of the market.
Belarus attracts foreign investment thanks to stable laws and predictable taxation.
Challenges and challenges
limited development of international marketing (due to strict advertising rules);- a small proportion of foreign players due to local domains (.by);
- the need to modernize the ECOC and integrate with cryptofintekh;
competition with offshore platforms not connected to the ECOC.
Nevertheless, the market continues to grow, primarily due to domestic demand and player confidence in state-controlled operators.
Development prospects
For 2025-2027, it is planned:1. Updating legislation focusing on international licensing.
2. Introduction of certification of foreign operators with simplified conditions.
3. Integration of ECOC with EU and CIS systems.
4. Support for fintech and crypto operators with state registration.
5. Development of Responsible Gaming and educational programs.
Belarus is moving towards one of the safest and most transparent gambling systems in Eastern Europe, combining control, tax efficiency and digital openness.
Belarus is an example of how you can build a legal and sustainable gambling market without losing state control.
The legalization of online casinos, the introduction of the ECOC and strict financial reporting have made the country a regional leader in iGaming.
The Belarusian model shows that gambling can be not only entertainment, but also a socially responsible and economically useful industry that brings stable income and player confidence.