Russia applies iGaming ban

The new virtual private network (VPN) has taken effect in Russia, blocking players from iGaming platforms.

The online gaming industry without a current license by the government of Russia has been limited with the implementation of a new virtual private network (VPN). The new platform has helped authorities block unlicensed iGaming sites and restringing players’ access to international websites.

The block has been commended by the federal law “On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection,” proposed earlier this year. The Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Telecom, Information Technologies and Mass Communications (Roskomnadzor) has urged virtual private networks (VPN) services to set stricter conditions of access to international websites, including online gaming platforms.

Online companies are concerned that Russia’s crackdown on several internet sectors may affect the free access to websites in general. In particular, VPN services are expected to be completely banned if policies against online domains keep getting approved. Furthermore, the negative perspective in the country grew as authorities are allegedly preparing a law to expand the power of Roskomnadzor, which would jeopardise the technology and communications companies’ operations.