Russian Orthodox Church leaders have criticized Finance Minister Anton Siluanov’s request to President Vladimir Putin to legalize online casinos, viewing it as a threat to “traditional values.”
Siluanov suggested in a letter to Putin that legalizing online casinos could increase state revenues by ₽100bn ($1.3bn), as reported by journalist Brian MacDonald:
Kommersant reports that Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has proposed legalizing online casinos in Russia, with a single state-appointed operator and at least 30% tax on net gaming revenue. The Finance Ministry estimates the move could bring in around $1.3 billion a year.
Deputy Head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Synodal Department for Relations with Society and the Media, Vakhtang Kipshidze, expressed concerns that while funding Russia’s budget is necessary, the proposal could lead to more gambling addicts.
Kipshidze noted that the ₽100bn “will effectively be taken from Russian families who have, or will develop as a result of this dubious proposal, gambling addicts.”
The Greek Orthodox Church leader also criticized the current “accessibility of illegal online casinos” despite the ban on the vertical since 2009.
Kipshidze emphasized that Russian leaders should uphold their commitment to the “protection of traditional values.” Putin has reportedly not yet responded to Siluanov’s letter.
“Gambling business has both pros and cons”
While the Finance Minister’s proposal faces opposition, including from addiction charities such as Russia’s National Anti-Drug Union, lawmaker Leonid Slutsky offered a more balanced perspective. “Honestly, the gambling business has both pros and cons. Everyone’s opinion on this topic matters. I don’t think we need to remove all restrictions right away.”
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com