Insight BELARUS - REPORT
Helen Mourashko Partner, Head of Information Technology and Intellectual Property Practice and Attorney at Law at REVERA
Helen Mourashko is a Partner, Head of Information Technology and Intellectual Property Practice and Attorney at Law at REVERA. Nikolay Gorelik is an Associate at REVERA
revera.by em@revera.by nng@revera.by
April 2019 was a turning point for the gambling business in Belarus, when legislation to legalise online gambling was enacted. Belarus became the first country in the CIS to allow online casinos. Since then, the gambling market continues to grow steadily.
ONLINE GAMES ALLOWED IN BELARUS
Since April 1, 2019 the following types of online gambling are allowed in Belarus: l
betting (a gambler places a bet on an event against a bookmaker, for instance, sports bets).
l
online totalisator (a gambler places a bet on an event against another gambler).
l online card games (for instance, poker). l
l
online slot machines determining prizes/pay- outs randomly.
bingo games, offering prizes depending on right guesses of number combinations and stakes.
Live games – where real gaming tables, cards, roulettes are located either in Belarus or abroad, games are broadcasted online and gamblers play remotely – are also allowed. Live games include card games, dice games, roulette games and live gaming machines.
STARTING A BUSINESS
In order to start your online gambling business in Belarus, you need to:
1. Own a company registered in Belarus and have a valid licence for gambling business and two years of business experience.
Purchasing a share (stock) in such a company is your first step in setting up your online gambling
P76 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS l
business in Belarus. Only such companies may add a new type of activity – virtual gambling house – to their licence specifications. It doesn’t matter what particular type of gambling games this company organised before.
Both Belarusian and foreign citizens and entities may act as shareholders of the company.
Company’s minimal capital requirement: l
for limited liability companies and additional liability companies (may amount even to €1) – there is no requirement.
for closed joint-stock companies – €1,000 approximately.
l
for open joint-stock companies –€3,900 approximately.
2. Elaborate regulations for internal control of financial transactions.
Live games – where real gaming tables, cards, roulettes are located either in Belarus or abroad, games are broadcasted online and
gamblers play remotely – are also allowed. Live games include card games, dice games, roulette games and live gaming machines.
In particular, you’ll have to elaborate a specific bylaw – internal control regulations, as well as a questionnaire to identify persons involved in financial transactions, financial transactions log books and a special report form.
3. Amend a licence with a new business activity – virtual gambling establishment.
In order to add a new business activity, you will have to submit an application and the following documents to the Ministry of Tax and Duties (MTD):
l
Document confirming payment of state duty. Te duty for making amendments to the license is €2,400 approx.
l
Document confirming a company holds a bank account with the required funds.
You will have to open two accounts with a Belarusian bank:
1) Settlement account: all settlements with players must be transacted via accounts in a Belarusian bank.
2) Special account: for budget payments and pay-outs where settlement account funds are insufficient.
On a special account, a company must hold at least:
— €865,000 – in order to obtain a licence for the virtual gambling house;
— €195,000 – for online betting houses and
Business in Belarus: a crucial turning point for the industry
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