TLDR President Alexander Lukashenko ordered a new review of gambling advertising in Belarus. He said even his own family complains about how many gambling ads they see. Officials told him the industry is already regulated, but he disagreed. He named betting company Fonbet as an example of the problem. The order comes weeks after officials drafted a law to ban most online gambling ads.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has ordered a new review of the country’s gambling advertising rules. He gave the instruction during a meeting in Minsk this week.
Lukashenko said many people in Belarus are frustrated by how often gambling ads appear. He said his own family has complained about it too.
“Ads of ‘Spinning the Goose’ are everywhere,” he said. He added that his family gives him a hard time about it every day.
Lukashenko told his chief of staff, Dmitry Krutoi, to look closely at the issue. He said the government needs a clear plan going forward.
He also admitted he is confused by the number of gambling businesses now operating in the country. “We have an online casino, casinos in general, and so on. I have got confused about all these definitions,” he said.
Officials say the industry is already regulated
Government officials told Lukashenko that gambling businesses in Belarus already follow existing rules. He pushed back on that claim during the meeting.
“It’s been regulated, but our country has turned into a casino,” he said.
He named betting company Fonbet as an example of a business that has become too visible. He said its presence in the country has grown too large.
Lukashenko also spoke with Vasily Gerasimov of the State Control Committee about reports of gambling losses reaching $500 million. He said the figure was likely exaggerated.
Still, he said