Is Minsk new Las Vegas? How does gambling develop in Belarus?

Belarus is included in the list of the countries with legal gambling and no specially allotted gambling areas. Currently, the Republic hosts hundreds of companies working in this sphere. For the authorities, such activity appears as a chance to attract extra capital in the country’s budget. Both Belarusian and foreign companies represent the industry.

History

In the XIX century, a noble Geydukevich opened Casino, a high-end house to conduct meetings and balls in Minsk. As the descendants report, roulette was not a commonplace but card games for money gained much interest. Bridge and whist were the most popular ones. Unfortunately, the pioneer Minsk-based casino hasn’t been preserved until now – it was destroyed in the 1940s.

The first casino in the Freedom Square in Minsk

The Hotel Yubileiny was the first to host a modern gambling venue in Belarus in 1992. Besides, gambling machines set in shopping malls and entertainment centers appeared even earlier – in the 1980s.

In the 1990s, the Republic’s authorities announced gambling licensing. Licenses were first issued by the Minsk City Executive Committee, then the Sports and Tourism Ministry and the Ministry of Tax and Duties of the Republic of Belarus.

In 2009, Russia imposed a law limiting gambling, which changed the history of the sphere in Belarus. Belarus opened its market to the Russians – both players and businesses striving for the industry development. Now, the breakneck flourishing of gambling has come to its end and some decline can be observed: the number of venues has been gradually going down since 2014. According to various sources, 30-50% of attendees are Russian people.

Licensed games and the industry state

Belarus has licensed the following gambling directions:

• betting shops;
• totes;
• gambling venues;
• casinos (card games, dice, roulette);
• national lotteries.

As of March 1, 2018, the register of current licenses enlists 111 companies owning casinos, gambling areas and betting shops. There are about 165 gambling venues and 24 casinos with approximately 6.4 thousand slot machines on the Republic’s territory. Compare: in 2010, Belarus hosted 29 casinos and 330 gambling areas with 9.5 slots and other machines.

State regulation

Belarusian-based gambling is limited by a range of restrictions and bans at a state level. Here are some of them:

1. Only those legal bodies who are registered in Belarus can run gambling business.
2. A company’s head should regard this position as the main one and have an experience of at least three years as a manager.
3. A company should obtain a license issued by the Ministry of Tax and Duties of the Republic of Belarus and pay 500 basic units ($6 200 000 in 2017).
4. Gambling equipment is also certified by the Ministry of Tax and Duties of the Republic of Belarus.
5. Any rule violation can lead to license termination anytime.

There are lots of amendments regularly added to the gambling legislation. For example, recently, relatives of a gamer got a right to isolate him from gambling venues for up to three years. According to lawmakers, this action was taken to prevent gambling addiction.

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