Belarus’s Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade (MART) has drafted a bill that would introduce stricter rules on gambling advertising.
The bill would ban online advertising for gambling establishments, lotteries, and electronic interactive games, including virtual casinos. It would also prohibit gambling advertising on public transport across Belarus.
The proposal follows President Alexander Lukashenko’s 20 February signing of Decree No. 64, which banned minors and people restricted from visiting gambling establishments from participating in electronic instant lotteries.
The bill followed a complaint from Belarusian citizen Igor Borisenok, according to blizko.by. He contacted the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Information and MART over the amount of casino advertising in Belarusian cities.
MART said in its response that it shared his concerns and had prepared amendments introducing further advertising restrictions. Borisenok later published the response on Facebook.
A survey conducted last year found that nearly 86% of respondents identified gambling advertising as their biggest source of irritation. The volume of online gambling advertising increased after Google lifted its ban on gambling advertising in Belarus in January 2026. Advertising was subsequently allowed subject to certification through the Ministry of Taxes and Duties.
Belarus has regulated gambling advertising since the current Advertising Law was adopted in 2007. Existing rules prohibit casinos and gambling in educational, healthcare, cultural, and sports institutions. Gambling advertising cannot portray gambling as a way to make money, guarantee winnings, or feature minors. Outdoor advertising also requires approval from local authorities.
The new bill would add several restrictions.
Gambling advertising on public transport would be prohibited outright. The ministry is also proposing limits on the amount of gambling advertising permitted on television and radio rather than banning those channels completely.
The bill would further restrict advertising content by prohibiting the use of images of people and animals. It would also ban references to bonuses that can be used for betting.
Public transport gambling advertising would be banned. According to ilex.by, the existing advertising law does not regulate gambling advertising on public transport, creating a gap MART now wants to address.
A similar push to ban gambling advertising on public transport has been ongoing in London, but no concrete measures have been introduced, while advertising campaigns continue to increase.
MART said on 21 August that the draft law had been sent to relevant government bodies for review. The ministry has not yet provided a specific review timeline or a complete list of possible exceptions to the proposed online advertising ban.