Belarus cracks down on underage lottery access with stricter digital rules
Belarus has introduced stricter rules on electronic instant lotteries to protect minors and vulnerable groups. President Alexander Lukashenko signed Decree No. 64, which tightens age checks and payment methods for lottery participation.
The new law updates Decree No. 209 from 2007, setting an 18+ age limit for electronic instant lotteries. Those already banned from casinos or other gambling activities will also face restrictions on lottery bets. Banks will block transactions linked to lottery accounts for anyone underage or on the restricted list.
Since 2016, when Belarus raised the online lottery age to 21, providers have used government databases and biometric checks to verify players. Underage participation dropped from 15% in 2016 to under 2% by 2025. Banks and lottery operators now work together to monitor transactions, blocking over 5,000 suspicious accounts in 2024 alone. However, these measures have increased operational costs by 30%.
The decree also requires all lottery accounts to be funded through cashless payments. This ensures every player is at least 18, as cash transactions are no longer permitted.
The new regulations aim to reduce underage gambling and addiction risks among vulnerable groups. Lottery operators and banks will enforce stricter age checks and payment controls, with ongoing monitoring to maintain compliance.
