Russia Charges FON for Curacao-Based Online Gambling Site FONbet

Russian bookies FON have been charged for offering illegal online gambling facilities and for violating local gambling laws.

FON’s online site FONbet, which is licensed in Curacao, has been the subject of much discussion in Russia’s legal sector.

The company has been accused of violating Russian gambling laws since it “provided an opportunity to engage in games of chance for real money and offered various bets, including on sporting events,” said prosecutors.

At present, FON operates at 900 retail points across Russia, but it looks like the company has been under surveillance for some time.

Last summer, FON’s Moscow offices were raided by authorities who were looking for evidence to link the company to the online site.

Russian bookmakers FON charged for running an illegal online gambling operation in Curacao

The figures have indicated a positive correlation, since the website brought in a profit of RUB 62m in only two months in the past year.

The president of the Russian bookmakers trade association has asked for a change in the laws concerning online sportsbooks in Russia, to formalize a sports betting market.

The group of bookmakers also called for a system that favors Russian companies, where lottery officials also suggested that there should also be an online monopoly.

However, social conservatives are concerned about children accessing the sites and that they should all be shut down.

In the meantime, online gambling still remains illegal in Russia and FON appear to be in a sticky position for now.