Russian government proposes stricter gaming regulations and taxation amendments
Friday 28th May 2004
The Russian state parliament (the Duma), has announced its proposals for gaming taxation reforms, in which owners of gaming establishments will have to register their businesses with, and pay their dues to, a tax body within the area of the Russian Federation where the establishments are located. Under current law, gaming companies are merely required to pay to taxes to the area in which they have chosen to register their businesses.
Addressing the State Duma on May 27th, Igor Igoshin, Deputy Chair of the Appropriate Profile Committee, said that, in 2002, more than 290 organizations and individuals in the Moscow region paid taxes for their gaming businesses, however only 51% of them were registered in the region, Mr. Igoshin said. He added that the amendment to the law would increase much needed regional revenue for constituent parts of the Russian Federation.
In Russia, rules that govern iGaming are sketchy and Russian law does not regulate or even define Internet gambling. According to the website Gamblinglicenses.com, however, companies can set up online casinos in the Federation by applying for a casino license and then requesting permission to extend casino services to the Internet.
