Who Are the Online Casino Players in Russia?

In 2025, the distribution of online casino players across regions of Russia shows that the most active audience is concentrated in major metropolises

Last Updated: 29 september 2025

The legal status of online casinos in Russia is very clear: organizing and conducting games of chance on the Internet within the territory of the Russian Federation is prohibited. The main law governing this area is Federal Law No. 244 “On State Regulation of Gambling Activities” dated December 29, 2006. It allows gambling only in specially created gaming zones. Any gambling activity (including online casinos) outside these zones is illegal. The Internet is considered part of the Russian territory and therefore falls under this prohibition.

As of 2025, according to ResearchView, approximately 20 million people in Russia play online casino games, accounting for roughly one out of seven residents. Despite blocking measures and legal restrictions, this number continues to grow steadily.

Who Gambles in Russia: Demographics and Player Profile

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Gender and Age

Approximately 80% of players are men, 20% are women. More than half (51%) belong to the age group of 25-44 years old, with the most active users aged 31-40 (46% of audience). Young adults aged 21-30 make up about 23% of the audience; players over 40 account for up to 18%.

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Geography

Most players come from major cities and megacities such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Krasnodar, occasionally Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk. The most active audience is concentrated in western parts of Russia.

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Professions and Social Status

Middle managers, sales specialists, marketers, service sector employees, logistics workers, and IT professionals dominate the player base. Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and self-employed citizens are frequently represented. A significant portion consists of bank employees, insurance company personnel, trade and construction organization staff, as well as civil servants holding non-leadership positions.

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Income Level

Average deposit per session is around 10,500 rubles for the 31-40 age category, with most single deposits exceeding $100. About 50% of players make more than 19 deposits annually, each amounting to over 17,000 rubles.

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Behavior and Habits
- 89% play via mobile devices (75% use Android, 25% use iOS).
- Peak activity occurs on Thursdays and Fridays (from 4 PM to 10 PM) and weekends.
- On average, 40% spend about 3 hours daily in online casinos, while half spend around 28 minutes.
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Thus, the typical Russian gambler is a man with higher education working in office jobs, sales, IT, or business sectors, earning above-average income, who regularly spends money on online casinos.

Further growth in online gambling is expected, particularly among active users of mobile applications in major cities.

This data reflects the current structure and dynamics of the Russian online casino audience in 2025, based on specialized research and market surveys.

Number of Players Across Different Regions of Russia

In 2025, the distribution of online casino players across regions of Russia shows that the most active audience is concentrated in major metropolises and developed areas.

Over 57% of online casino players reside in European Russia, home to major cities and advanced IT infrastructure.
Regions such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Krasnodar Krai show the highest increase in new users over recent years.
Top 20 cities also include Perm, Chelyabinsk, Lipetsk, Krasnoyarsk, Omsk, Tolyatti, Tambov.

Top 10 Cities by Number of Online Casino Players

Rank	City	Activity Assessment / Share of Players
1	Moscow	Highest level of engagement
2	St. Petersburg	Second largest pool of active players
3	Krasnodar	Leads in Southern Russia
4	Yekaterinburg	Major center in Ural region
5	Rostov-on-Don	Among top five
6	Novosibirsk	Most active city in Siberia
7	Nizhny Novgorod	Leader in regional deposit share
8	Samara	Leading Volga Region megapolis
9	Voronezh	Among Central Russia’s top regions
10	Kazan	Main center of Volga Federal District

These data are collected based on analytics from major gambling platforms and industry partnership network research, enabling evaluation of the geographical structure of the online casino market in Russia.

What Games Are Chosen by Men and Women in Online Casinos?

Men and women prefer different types of games in online casinos, which is related to their distinct perceptions and motivations in gambling.

Online games preferred by women:

Slot machines and video slots — simple rules and the opportunity to relax at one’s own pace.
Roulette — luck-based games with an element of excitement.
Bingo and social games — combination of thrill and social interaction without needing specific knowledge.
Instant lotteries and scratch cards — immediate results and accessibility.
Women tend to place small fixed bets, avoiding high risks.

Online casino games preferred by men:

Poker and blackjack — strategic card games allowing application of skills and strategies.
Live dealer games — roulette and blackjack with live dealers to recreate the atmosphere of land-based casinos.
Classic slot machines with adventure themes, tropical vacations, and others offering attractive prizes.
Men tend to engage in riskier betting and strategically-driven gameplay.

Thus, women typically choose games of chance and fixed stakes (slots, roulette, bingo), whereas men prefer games that allow strategy and excitement (poker, sports betting, live casino).

Liability and Risks Associated with Playing Online Casinos in Russia (2025)

Players’ Liability for Legal Violations: Direct administrative or criminal liability for players simply playing in online casinos does not exist. However, they bear all financial risks:

Inability to withdraw winnings through legitimate payment systems.
Risk of encountering dishonest operators who might refuse payouts, as their operations lack legal protection.