The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade of Belarus has drafted comprehensive legislation that envisions a nationwide ban on online gambling advertising. According to reports from the Telegraph Agency of Belarus (BelTA), the proposal has been officially submitted for government review and covers lotteries, sports betting, and online casino operations across the country.
Under the prepared draft, online marketing of gambling activities will be prohibited with only limited exceptions. The reform package also introduces stringent restrictions on the remaining permitted offline advertising. Gambling promotions on public transport will be banned entirely, while operators will face narrower time windows for broadcasting on television and radio alongside a reduced number of authorised advertising channels. Furthermore, operators will be barred from using depictions of humans, animals, and promotional bonus messaging in any marketing campaigns.
The primary stated objective of the initiative is to reduce problem gambling rates by curbing the overall appeal and public visibility of gambling products. The move also aligns with the Belarusian government’s broader strategy, outlined in mid-2025, to maintain tight oversight of the domestic iGaming sector and prevent gambling revenue from leaving the country. While Belarus represents a smaller market compared to Western Europe, its regulatory trajectory mirrors strict advertising measures implemented across jurisdictions such as Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.
For licensed operators and software suppliers active in the jurisdiction, the enactment of this legislation will necessitate a substantial overhaul of customer acquisition strategies, shifting operational focus towards player retention and direct compliance. Further details are reported by SBC News.
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