The Ministry of Sports hopes for the quick adoption of the draft on betting fees

Russia's deputy sports and youth minister Natalya Parshikova told journalists that the Ministry relies on the State Duma to adopt the draft on additional financing of sports organizations by the end of the current session. Deputies approved it on first reading on November 3.  

This document stipulates the introduction of 5% fees for betting houses based on quarterly income in favour of organizers of sports competitions that are subject to betting. The minimum amount of fee paid to one organizer must be RUB 3 million, and the total amount of fees – not less than RUB 15 million.

According to the explanatory note, there are 31 operational betting houses in Russia. Calculation of minimum payments, made by each betting house, show that an organizer of sports event will receive RUB 93 million per quarter and RUB 372 million per year.

The draft also lifts the ban on betting advertising during competition broadcasts, but it mustn’t occupy more than 20% of commercial airtime.