Minsk has confirmed that a nationwide slot machine registry will go live this March, marking one of the most sweeping changes to the country’s gambling rules in years.
The announcement came through the government’s official Telegram channel, following cabinet approval of a proposal first set in motion by President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s decree last year.
That decree not only ordered the creation of the registry but also tightened rules around cryptocurrency use in betting.
Under the new framework, only licensed firms based in Minsk will be allowed to accept digital currency for wagers or pay out winnings in crypto. Belarusian law already requires all crypto service providers to operate inside Hi‑Tech Park, a state‑supervised complex designed to keep financial activity under close watch.
Major changes to gambling laws
President Lukashenko has made it clear that gambling in Belarus must be funded only with a player’s own money, cutting off access to creditas a way to place bets.
Casinos are being pushed to prove their financial strength, with traditional venues required to keep at least 4.05 million Belarusian rubles ($1.4 million) in reserve, while online platforms and bookmakers are required to hold 900,000 rubles ($306,000). Officials say these measures are designed to guarantee payouts and tax obligations without operators slipping into debt.
A new computerized cash register system has also been introduced to track transactions, with a watchdog in Minsk tasked to monitor suspicious payments. Identification checks are now mandatory for all patrons, and rules forbid players from opening multiple accounts or placing bets through third parties.
By banning electronic credit and introducing stricter monitoring, the government aims to close loopholes and prevent criminal schemes in the gambling sector.
Source: CasinoBeats