CUPIS in Russia: History, Regulation and Prospects until 2030

CUPIS in Russia: History, Structure, Regulation and Prospects until 2030 - 3S.INFO

Publication date: 8 September 2025

1CUPIS is a mandatory component of legal betting in Russia and a multifunctional fintech platform. On 3S.INFO, we provide a detailed explanation of CUPIS’s history, evolution, current functions, impact on players, bookmakers and the state. You’ll learn how identification works, which bookmakers are connected to the system, and explore the pros and cons for all parties involved.

What Is CUPIS?

CUPIS (Center for Accounting of Interactive Gaming Transactions) is a mandatory component of legal betting in Russia. All online bets placed through licensed bookmakers pass through this system. Today, 1CUPIS serves not only as a payment gateway but also as a full-fledged fintech instrument for players, operators and the state.

History of Creating CUPIS in Russia

In the early 2010s, online betting in Russia existed in a semi-legal gray area. Most bookmakers operated under offshore licenses (Curacao, Malta, Isle of Man), circumventing Russian regulation through mirrors and alternative payment solutions. The state missed out on tax revenues, while users lacked legal protections.

In 2016, the first CUPIS were launched. Essentially, these centers were payment processors under the control of self-regulating organizations (SROs) of bookmakers. Their tasks included:

Controlling players’ financial transactions;
Ensuring Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance;
Collecting taxes on winnings;
Maintaining records of contributions aimed at developing sports.

There were two major CUPIS:

NPO “QIWI Bank” (for Self-Regulatory Organization “Association of Bookmakers”)
NPO “Mobile Card” (for Self-Regulatory Organization “First SRO”)

Both structures worked similarly but weren’t interchangeable. A player could not transfer funds from a bookmaker under one SRO to a bookmaker under another SRO without re-registering.

In August 2021, the President of the Russian Federation signed Decree No. 236-RP. The document outlined:

Creation of a Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI);
Elimination of individual CUPIS;
Transfer of functions to a 1CUPIS managed by NPO “Mobile Card.”

Since October 1, 2021, 1CUPIS has become the sole operator of all online bets in the legal segment of the Russian Federation.

Under Which Laws Does CUPIS Operate?

Federal Law No. 244 “On State Regulation of Activities Related to Organizing and Conducting Gambling Games” was adopted in 2006. It restricted the activities of bookmakers on the internet by mandating registration and licensing. Defined the concept of interactive betting and established the obligation to conduct all settlements through authorized organizations (CUPIS).

Federal Law No. 493 “On Amendments…” (2020) introduced the establishment of a Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI), obligated all operators to connect to a unified settlement system (1CUPIS) and defined the procedure for allocating targeted contributions to sports.

Other Regulations:

Licensing of bookmakers (Roskomnadzor, Ministry of Finance).
AML/KYC requirements under Federal Law No. 115.

What Does 1CUPIS Do Today (2025)?

Serves over 22 million player wallets.
Processes 2.4 million payments daily.
95% of transactions take less than a second.
Withholds taxes (personal income tax 13–15%) and sends data to the Federal Tax Service.
Allocates targeted contributions to sports (1.5–5% of bookmaker turnover).
Provides CUPIS Wallet and a digital card compatible with Mir Pay and cashback features.
Supports Responsible Gambling tools: limits, self-blocking.
Integrated with SPB, Mir cards, Mir Pay, and P2P systems.

CUPIS News (Fall 2025)

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In September 2025, the rebranding process began, which will be completed early in 2026. First and foremost, updates will affect the website design, personal accounts and application stores. This is a landmark event for the company since the launch of the First CUPIS in 2016. The new identity symbolizes the company’s large-scale transformation and demonstrates its readiness for the future and new challenges.

Read more
- Every day, 1CUPIS processes about 2.5 million payment transactions.
- The CUPIS Wallet is actively used monthly by 300,000 people.
- The digital card introduced in 2023 has already been adopted by more than 500,000 users in a short period, with 75,000 using it regularly.
Read more
A new service called CUPIS ID is planned to be launched. Its creation is necessitated by the fact that approximately 200,000 users undergo identification procedures each month. Currently, this process requires players to go through multiple stages of verification for every new bookmaker, which consumes time. The new service, utilizing existing player data, will significantly simplify and expedite this process through a single button and a new identification system, enhancing customer comfort.

Read more

CUPIS Process for Players in 2025

Registration with a bookmaker: The user creates an account on the bookmaker’s website.
Setting up a CUPIS wallet: Automatically or manually, depending on the bookmaker.
Passing Identification (KYC):
- Online through Gosuslugi, T-ID, Sber ID;
- Completing an application with passport details and selfie photo;
- Offline verification at Svyaznoy, Contact or a bookmaker’s payment acceptance point.
Deposit funding: Via bank card, SPB, or e-wallet.
Placement of bets and withdrawals: Winnings arrive in the CUPIS wallet and are transferred to the player’s card/bank account.
Tax Accounting: The system automatically submits data to the Federal Tax Service.

How Does Verification Take Place in 1CUPIS?

Simplified (Online):

Via Gosuslugi, T-ID or Sber ID;
Through an online questionnaire with passport, SNILS/TIN and selfie photo.

Limits: Up to 60,000 rubles per operation, up to 200,000 rubles per month.

Full (Offline):

At bookmaker offices, Svyaznoy salons, Contact points;
Removes limits (except for those imposed by bookmakers and payment systems).

Which Bookmakers Are Connected to 1CUPIS?

All legal Russian bookmakers operate through 1CUPIS:
Liga Stavok, Fonbet, Winline, Leon, OLIMPBET, Baltbet, Betcity, Pari, Marathon, BetBoom, Zenit, TENNISI.bet, Melbet, BETTERY and others.

For affiliates, this means: Any legal affiliate program in Russia will operate through 1CUPIS.

Who Benefits from CUPIS: Advantages and Disadvantages

	+	–
Players	Fast and secure payouts Unified identification Transaction history and data protection Self-control tools Wallet and card with cashback	Limits with simplified verification Need for KYC Possible delays during AML checks
Bookmakers	Legality of operations Minimal risk of blockades Trust from players and the state Automated tax collection	Integration costs Strict regulatory framework Potential loss of some traffic
State	Transparent flows Guaranteed taxation Fight against illegal bookmakers	Infrastructure expenses Risk of gray market growth

Development Prospects for 1CUPIS in 2026–2030

Audience Growth: Reaching 30 million users by 2030.
New FinTech Services: Physical Cards, P2P, Integration with Marketplaces.
AI and Big Data: Predicting Player Behavior, Fraud Detection.
Stronger KYC: Complete Elimination of Anonymous Operations.
Digital Ruble: Integration into 1CUPIS System.

1CUPIS is not just a mandatory component of legal betting in Russia but also a versatile fintech platform. For players, it ensures security; for bookmakers, legitimacy; and for the state, market transparency. By 2030, 1CUPIS could transform into the largest payment and data processing hub in the gambling industry.