Prominent Russian Operator F.O.N. Gets Charges for Illegal Online Gambling

F.O.N., top Russian bookmaker, is facing charges for arranging illegal online gambling.

This gambling news was announced by Moscow prosecutors earlier this week. The authorities consider that although the operator’s website was run from the Netherlands and licensed by the Dutch authorities, it was mainly focusing on Russian audience.

The prosecutors released a statement and commented: “This website, accessible to every Internet user, provided an opportunity to engage in games of chance for real money and offered various bets, including on sporting events.”

Company’s background

According to recent information, the Russian website made a profit of about RUB 62 million for just two months, June and July, in 2013.

F.O.N. was registered in Russia in 1994, and it is one of the country’s leading bookmakers, with nearly 900 offices across Russia, and a central office in Moscow.

According to a Russian gambling law from 2009, casinos and other gaming entities can operate only in remote, if they are located in specifically designated gambling zones all over Russia.

Regardless of the ban, illegal online casinos in Russia, which are presented as internet and lottery clubs continue to exist and enjoy great popularity.