The Republic of Belarus, an Eastern European country of nine million people, borders Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and Ukraine. For a long time the lottery was its only legal form of gambling, but the country gradually opened up to other formats, and since 2018 the government has been actively developing the sector. Many foreign operators have taken the opportunity.
One reason legislators legalized gambling was to win players from the Russian market, where gambling is banned outside designated zones.
License Types and Legal Status
There are two licenses, depending on whether you run a land-based or an online gambling business.
All forms of online gambling became legal on April 1, 2019, so operators can offer online players a wide range of products, including casino games and sports betting. Land-based sportsbooks and casinos, national lotteries and slot machine halls can also operate legally.
Because the online market is so young, its long-term advantages are still hard to judge; they should become clearer as the market matures.
Requirements for Land-Based Gambling
- Every gambling venue needs a license from the Tax and Duties Ministry (MNS).
- All gambling equipment must be certified by the Ministry of Taxes and Assessments.
- Only legally registered residents of Belarus may open a gambling business.
- Licenses are issued for ten years.
- Operators must guarantee maximum safety and fair play for visitors.
Requirements for Online Gambling
- Only entities registered in Belarus may apply for an online gambling license.
- The CEO’s main employment must be connected with the gambling business.
- The CEO needs three years of experience in the gambling industry.
- The operator must make a $1 million security deposit to cover possible insolvency.
- Every visitor to the platform must be accurately identified.
- Sites must be connected to a remote cashier system that monitors turnover.
Land-Based and Online Rules Compared
| Rule | Land-based | Online |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply | Legally registered residents of Belarus | Entities registered in Belarus |
| Key conditions | Equipment certified by the Ministry of Taxes and Assessments; safety and fair play for visitors | CEO with three years of industry experience; $1 million security deposit; visitor identification; remote cashier system |
| Licensing authority | Tax and Duties Ministry (MNS) | |
License Fee and Taxes
The license fee is 500 basic units. With one basic unit at 25.5 Belarusian rubles, that is roughly $4,900. The basic unit value is revised from time to time, so check the current figure when you budget.
Operators also face several taxes:
- 4% income tax on player winnings
- Around $2,500–$4,000 per gaming table and about $100 per slot for land-based casinos
- Standard corporate income tax of 18%; banks, insurance companies and forex companies pay 25%
Additional taxes have also been rising, which has pushed small casinos out of business: tax revenue from operators grew by 15% over four years, on top of fixed rates for cash registers, slot machines and gambling tables.
How to Apply
Applicants must be legal residents of Belarus and have a company registered in the country. The documents go to the Tax and Duties Ministry and include:
- The legal address of the gambling business
- The list of services to be provided
- Tax registration data
- Copies of organizational documents
- Copies of the legal entity’s registration documents
- The fee payment receipt
If you would rather not handle the paperwork alone, we can help you prepare and file it and set up compliant operations.
Renewal
A Belarusian gambling license must be renewed every ten years.
Want more detail on licensing in Belarus? Contact us or email sales@igamingsoftwaresolutions.com.
