Within this guide we’ll discuss the best betting sites in Russia, and a series of ranking variables we used to compare the many options available. Our Russian sportsbooks review process begins with an overview of the strongest constituents in the market, and then systematically goes through the best operators for each subtype of the sports gambling experience. Without further ado, let’s get into the overview of the world of Russian bookmakers.
| Best Betting Sites in Russia | Bonus Offers | Highlights | Rating | Secure Link | T&Cs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| betwinner | Up to 25,000 RUB First Deposit Bonus | 60+ , 260+ , 93.95% | 5.0/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Marathonbet | Up to 120€ In Free Bets | 40+ , 300+ , 93.10% | 4.9/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| MelBet | Up to 8,000 RUB First Deposit Bonus | 60+ , 260+ , 93.92% | 4.8/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| 1xbet | Up to $400 First Deposit Bonus | 60+ , 320+ , 94.01% | 4.7/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Pari.ru | Up to 5,000 RUB Welcome Bonus | 40+ , 200+ , 95.36% | 4.7/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Leon.ru | Up to 25,000 RUB In Free Bets | 30+ , 180+ , 94.13% | 4.6/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| 1xstavka | Up to 16,000 RUB Deposit Bonus | 35+ , 280+ , 95.88% | 4.6/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Pinnacle | Great Odds | 20+ , 40+ , 93.89% | 4.6/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
Top Betting Sites in Russia
- 🥇 Betwinner ✪ Best Betting Site in Russia
- 🥈 Marathonbet ✪ Great Online Platform
- 🥉 Melbet ✪ Top Football Odds
- ⭐ 1xbet ✪ Top Mobile App
- ⭐ Pari ✪ Great Welcome Offer
Reviewing the Best Sports Betting Sites in Russia
The first stop on our analysis of the Russian sports gambling market is to introduce its most popular constituents. We begin by offering a definitive list of the best sports betting sites in Russia when ranked for overall quality. These bookmakers can be considered some of the most well-established and trusted brands in the market.
Above are some of the perfect bookmakers for newcomers. They are uncomplicated, well-balanced and offer a great overall gaming experience. As you can see in the table below, signing-up with one of these brands will redeem an instant reward in the form of a betting bonus. Go ahead and sign-up with one of the top sportsbooks in Russia if you’re looking for a place to start your betting journey.
There are many different ranking areas coming up in this review of the Russian sports betting market. But in this initial overview we wanted to bring you the best online betting sites in Russia for new players. These recommendations are a dynamic and time-sensitive selection – so do check back with us again in the future to see how this group evolves.
Best Betting Sites in Russia by Category:
| 🏆 Best Betting Site in Russia | Betwinner |
| 🆕 Top New Betting Site in Russia | Melbet |
| 🎁 Best for Bonuses | 1xstavka |
| ⚡ Top Mobile App | 1xbet |
| 🔝 Best for Live Betting | Pari.ru |
| 📈 Highest Payout Bookie | 1xstavka |
| 💰 Best PayPal Betting Site | Marathonbet |
| 🔎 Safest Bookmaker | Betwinner |
| ⬆️ Best eSports Betting Website | Pinnacle |
The general sportsbook ranking table is an important benchmark in our review process. It enables our readers to gauge the general quality of a betting site before we delve into the many variables that dictate these rankings. If you’re a new player looking to get started with a top-quality sports betting sites, then choosing one of those listed above is a good solution.
As a newcomer to gambling in Russia you may want to brush up on your domain knowledge. We have a dedicated news and editorial section on this website, here you will find lots of interesting stories on the current issues in global gambling. Head over to the news section now to understand more context on this rich and diverse industry.
Page topics: click to go to your favorite one!
Best Best Betting Sites in Russia
Bet at Safe Bookies Verified by our Reviewers
Available Leagues and Events
Top Bonuses and Promotions
Safety & Security
How to Trust a Betting Website
Gambling Resorts
Payout Levels in Russia
e-Wallets, Cards and More
Russian Sports Betting Apps
There are only a limited number of sportsbooks operating in Russia, and the country takes a decentralized approach to the legality of gambling. States within Russia adopt contrasting positions, but in a nutshell, there is a vibrant and legal sportsbook ecosystem bubbling away. In the following section we will introduce some of the top sports betting site in Russia and how we ranked them.
The Criteria for Finding the Best Online Bookmakers in Russia
There are twelve main criteria we use to rank sports betting sites. Each of them carries a certain weight and importance within the customer experience, and that’s what we’re mainly interested in here. Over the next twelve sections you’ll find out the best sites in Russia for each category.
The most important criteria for new players is of course the welcome bonus. Bookies around the world try to bring in new customers by doing exactly this. As for players that love financial freedom, deposit methods and play limits are the most crucial. Jump to the section now that interests you the most.
The Criteria for Ranking the Best Russian Bookies
- ⚽ Sports Markets
- 💵 Odds/Payout Levels
- 🎁 Bonus Offers
- 📋 Betting Types
- 🛡️ Security Standards
- 📱 Sports Betting App
- 🙍♂️ Live Betting
- 💳 Payment Methods
- 💿 Platform Functionality
- ⭐️ Additional Features
- 👩⚕️ Customer Service
- 📜 Reputation
Top Sports in Russia
There are numerous sports markets that are widely played throughout Russia. The most popular sports to be spectated, bet on, and played have been listed down below. As you can probably tell, the affinity for sports betting sites in Russia is huge, and the native population love to follow and bet on the sports we’ve detailed in the following table.
Football: World Cup Hosts
The 2018 World Cup in Russia will go down as one of the most exciting ever held. There were many upsets, the host nation also beat many expectations, and the tournament provided a platform for many young talented stars. To bet on football in Russia, check out the dedicated guide.
Ice Hockey: Top Nation
Russia is a strong contender in the Ice Hockey, producing a lot of top-tier talent within the NHL. Domestically, the Russian hockey league is one of the world’s most popular and strongest in terms of talent. We can recommend many sites to bet on ice hockey.
Volleyball: Strength in Depth
Volleyball is a sport that is widely popular throughout Russia. Being played indoors within a sports hall suits the harsh winter climate of the country. The Russian volleyball team have enjoyed much success at international championships. You can bet on volleyball by checking our dedicated guide.
Bandy: Unlikely Contender
Bandy is considered a national sport in Russia, and is colloquially known as the “Russian ice hockey”. The sport arrived in Russia back in 1898 and since then has been a national treasure. You can bet on bandy and check out our dedicated guide to learn more about the niche sport.
Winter Sports: Sochi Olympics
The Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014 became one of the country’s most controversial sports events. Following the whistle-blower revelations that the country engaged in systemic doping coverups. Bet on winter sports betting sites and read the guide here.
Boxing & MMA: Povetkin and Nurmagomedov
Russia has always been a breeding ground of top-tier boxers and MMA fighters. Povetkin the heavyweight boxer and Khabib as the undisputed best pound-for-pound fighter of all time are two of the country’s proudest assets. Bet on boxing and check out the top sites here.
The above listed sports are just a few of the examples of what is possible at Russian betting sites. As you can probably tell, Russia is a country that thrives on the popularity of its main sports markets, but there are many others that we have not detailed here. Bare in mind that customers gambling on sports in this country have many more options available to them.
When drawing up the comprehensive list of gaming options in Russia we considered a huge range of different sports markets. Central to this ranking was the six you see in the table above. But beyond this selection there are many other gaming options available to players. A typical Russian sportsbook will feature over 30 sports betting markets. With a huge strength in depth when it comes to the leagues within a chose sport.
Payout, Odds and Lines at the Best Bookies
There is no more important factor in this ranking than the best odds bookmakers. When it comes to discovering the highest value sportsbooks in Russia, we’ve definitely got you covered. Our analysts have taken a close look at all the options available to punters in this market and can reveal who pays out at the highest rate.
In our table below we calculated the best betting sites in Russia for payout rates. This exclusive ranking uses a simple formula to calculate the amount of commission held by a bookmaker for a bet being placed on the platform. From this calculation we can deduce which operator in Russia is providing the biggest return to players.
- 1xstavka – 95.88% Payout Rate
- Pari.ru – 95.36% Payout Rate
- 1xbet – 94.01% Payout Rate
- Betwinner – 93.95% Payout Rate
- Melbet – 93.92% Payout Rate
- Pinnacle – 93.89% Payout Rate
We calculated our payout rates using a proven equation for assessing the quality of bookmakers’ odds. In our analysis we looked at a number of different live and pre-match markets, this built up our overall view of the sportsbook industry. When assessing the payout rates its important to recognize the difference in returns, especially for punters making bets of a considerable size.
Biggest Offers and Betting Bonuses for New Players
There are many creative methods employed by sportsbook operators to entice new players into using the service. One of the most common recruitment mechanisms in use is the deployment of betting offers. In Russia the online bookmakers industry is highly competitive, for this reason there is a great potential to claim highly lucrative welcome offers. We’ve listed the best in the industry in the table below.
| Russian Betting Site | Welcome Bonus | Deposit Features | Rating | Secure Link | T&C’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betwinner | Up to 25,000 RUB First Deposit Bonus | 1x , 8 days , 1.60 | 5.0/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Marathonbet | Up to 120€ in Freebets | 1x , 7 days , 1.5 | 4.7/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Melbet | Up to 8,000 RUB on First Deposit | 8x , 30 days , 1.40 | 4.8/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| 1xbet | Up to $400 When you deposit 10€ | 30x , 90 days , 1.5 | 4.7/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Pari.ru | Up to 50,000 RUB 100% on First Deposit | 15x , 15 days , 2.00 | 4.9/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
There are many other bookmakers’ free bets that we haven’t listed in this table. But the above selection of offers are representative of what we consider to be the strongest overall offers in Russia. To sign-up and claim one of these deals today will take no time at all. Simply head on over to the websites listed, and follow the registration steps to release the bonus.
| Bonus Category | Betting Site |
|---|---|
| 🥇 Best Bonus in Russia | Betwinner |
| 🥈 Easy to Use | Marathonbet |
| 🥉 Big Returns | Melbet |
| ◻️ Huge Bonus | 1xbet |
| ◻️ Free Bet Rewards | Leon |
When selecting the betting bonus to best suit your needs, it’s important to recognise that there are a number of conditions that you’ll need to fulfil before making any withdrawals of the bonus cash. Primarily, these sportsbook bonus conditions can be broken down into three distinct areas. The wagering requirements, minimum odds, and validity period.
Any betting websites promotion that involves a bonus transfer to the player will likely involve some kind of obligation to fulfil the wagering requirements. The issue here is that you’ll have to fulfil a certain set of conditions before the funds are released as cash. This will involve placing bets up to a certain value and fulfilling the wagering conditions as demanded.
To complete the betting sites promotions wagering conditions you’ll need to exceed the threshold required by the wagering amount, and make sure that your bets are considered to be qualifying as per the minimum odds allowed. All of this must be completed within the allotted timeframe, so that you achieve all the set conditions within the validity period demanded by the sportsbook.
Type of Bets
Another important ranking variable we looked at when assessing the Russian gambling operators was the markets and bet types available. The best sportsbooks in the business are those that feature the widest range of gambling options for players. There is no merit in a sportsbook that cannot fulfil the users betting hunch, and fails to provide the markets.
In the table below we have outlined some of the most popular gambling options used by customers in Russia. These are not sport-specific in their scope, but they do provide an excellent indication of what can be expected when betting in this country. Take a look below at some examples of what you can expect to find when betting in Russia.
- Both Teams to Score
- Over 2.5 Goals
- Asian Handicap
- Total Card
- Total Corners
- Total Shots
- Half-Time Score
- Total Throw Ins
- Total Free Kicks
- Total Goal Kicks
- Double Chance
- Team Specials
The list above is far from the exhaustive range of gambling options available at betting sites in Russia. This snapshot of the gambling markets available is representative of some of the country’s most popular. As you can probably tell, there are many similarities between these choices and those at other developed economic regions, but Russians do also have niche areas to bet, many of which we’ve included in the above overview of available bet types.
Security of the Platform
One of the most important considerations we make when ranking sportsbooks in Russia is the safety and security of the platform. Across this entire domain we only work with the safest online betting sites, these are platforms that are selected purely for their commitment to delivering the safest gaming experience possible.
Outside this selection of safety authorities, our commitment to responsible gambling ensures that we only pick bookmakers that exemplify strong regulatory compliance. Whilst this differs significantly from country to country, our reviews set a benchmark of responsibility and look for bookmakers that enforce safe gambling and KYC checks on their userbase.
Safety Partners at Online Sports Betting Sites in Russia
There are numerous organizations around the world that are working to enforce safer gambling standards across the industry. These independent and trusted organizations listed below each preserve the interests of gambling stakeholders and ensure a safer experience for everyone involved.
Top Data Safety and Encryption Companies
- Digi Cert
- Entrust Datacard
- GoDaddy
- Comodo SSL
- GenTrust
- GlobalSign
- Rapid SSL
Responsible Gambling Organizations
- IBAS
- Responsible Gaming Council
- National Council on Problem Gambling
- International Centre for Responsible Gambling
- GambleAware
- eCOGRA
When searching for a new sports betting site in Russia it’s important to recognize the associations with the organizations listed above. These are certainly not an exhaustive list of all the safety mechanisms out there, but having an independent audit, top level encryption and full regulatory approval are definite indicators of platform legitimacy.
To understand if a betting site is safe or not make sure to check out its affiliations with regulatory groups. Besides ensuring that a bookmaker is operating in a legal way, regulators also act as a mediator between the operator and the player. If any disputes arise, it’s always good to have the backing of an independent authority to quickly resolve your issue.
Bet on Mobile with the Best Sports Betting App
One of the most exciting areas of the betting platform is the advancement of smartphone gambling. There are numerous Russian betting apps we’re excited to introduce. They all come complete with every feature the full desktop platform has to offer. This means no matter which operating system you’re using for the bets, iOS or Android, you’ll certainly have all you need.
Using apps to place your bets feels like one of the new frontiers of gambling, and the industry is certainly heading quickly towards a world where this is the norm. If you want to discover the best sports betting app for general use, the list of options below is a great starting point.
Top Russian Betting Apps
- Leon.ru Mobile App – Fast and nimble
- Pari.ru Mobile App – Amazing UI/UX
- 1xstavka Mobile App – Intuitive design
- 1xbet Mobile App – Optimized for mobile
- Melbet Mobile App – Plenty of features
When using the best apps in the country you’ll be able to do a lot more than just place bets. Some of the top apps in this market allow for live streaming, complex statistical analysis, and all manner of other tasks that you would be able to carry out at the desktop interface.
In-Play Arena and Live Betting
On the subject of exciting parts of the sportsbook, our analysis naturally turns towards live betting. In the previous five years the in-play arena has far surpassed pre-match betting markets. This shift in customer behaviour is being attributed to the surge in platform quality and the performance of in-play arenas.
The best live sports betting sites available in Russia have been listed below. Each option contains a hefty welcome bonus for new players, and we provide some useful data points to help guide your decision. In truth, there are many crossover points between this list of operators and the list of top general betting sites in Russia.
| Live Betting Site | Welcome Bonus | Live Features | Rating | Secure Link | T&C’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon.ru | Up to 25,000 RUB in Freebets | 132+ , Yes , Yes | 5.0/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Pari.ru | Up to 5,000 RUB Welcome Bonus | 41+ , Yes , Yes | 4.9/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Melbet | Up to 8,000 RUB 100% on First Deposit | 68+ , No , Yes | 4.8/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Marathonbet | Up to 120€ in Freebets | 36+ , No , Yes | 4.7/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| 1xbet | Up to 400$ in Freebets | 36+ , No , Yes | 4.7/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
When choosing the best live betting sites in Russia, our overview placed a lot of weight on the platforms that were able to deliver the widest range of gaming options. This includes things like cashout, live streaming, and the ability to analyse the key data or statistics of an upcoming sports fixture.
Payment Methods at Russian Betting Sites
There are many different options to consider when choosing the best sports betting site in Russia, perhaps the most crucial variables include some reference to the deposit limitations and availability of different options. We place a lot of importance on this ranking mechanism because customers love to have the flexibility of payment options at a betting site.
In the list of deposit and withdrawal options below you can quickly understand which payment methods you’ll be able to use in this country. We’ve included details of the deposit limit of each option, and any payment fees that you’re likely to incur when using each option for your gambling payment activities.
| Payment Method | Type | Deposit Limits | Deposit/Withdrawal | Payment Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISA | Card | RUB500 – RUB1,000,000 | Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| MasterCard | Card | RUB500 – RUB1,500,000 | Available for Deposits / Not Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| PayPal | eWallet | RUB1000 – RUB750,000 | Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| Trustly | eWallet | RUB500 – RUB1,000,000 | Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| Neteller | eWallet | RUB500 – RUB1,000,000 | Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals | 1.0% – 1.0% |
| Skrill | eWallet | RUB500 – RUB1,000,000 | Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals | 1.5% – 1.5% |
The total list of payment options available in Russia is impossible to cover in this one list. There are in fact many involved in this category. What we have demonstrated here is that you have a good mixture of options, from modern eWallet providers to traditional banking options – each of which allows for a flexible range of deposits and withdrawal limits.
PayPal Betting
When it comes to making quick and reliable deposits at the best sports betting sites in Russia, there is very few options that perform better than PayPal betting sites. This trusted deposit method will ensure that your payments to and from the sportsbook are processed in a quick and reliable fashion. Checkout the main candidate for PayPal betting in Russia we’ve identified below.
Top PayPal Bookie
- Fast and Reliable
- Big Welcome Offer
Welcome Bonus 30€
Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
There are very few payment options available in Russia that attract such a following as PayPal. Indeed, as in many other countries discussed throughout this review, we believe that PayPal provides the most efficient means to gamble with in the Russian market. Make sure to not get left behind on the booming fintech industry’s popularity wave.
Frontend User Experience
Perhaps one of the most immediately recognizable traits of the betting website is the functionality and performance of the front end. Without an adequate build and design this area can be incredibly problematic. Casual users place a great deal of importance on the speed of the website, and the ease of which they can transition through the various directories.
We ranked this performance area with a series of key variables. Starting with the colour scheme, we were able to identify the designs that resonate best with our users. Next we looked at the click through rates of our own review series and were able to identify the websites that had the largest surface appeal out of all sportsbooks.
Extra Features
There are numerous extra technical features a bookmaker can employ when designing the sportsbook arena for its users. These additional functionalities crop up in several interesting areas, but the majority are focused on assisting users either plan a bet, or monitor how a bet already placed is unfolding.
Some examples of what we consider to be some exciting extra features available at online betting sites in Russia are listed in the table below. You can use sportsbooks that allow live-streaming of matches in order to get the true immersive betting experience. As we said, monitoring your bet with livescore, in-play graphics and cashout will not only be of practical assistance, but may help you time the perfect moment to take the money and run.
| Betting Site | Live Streaming | Cashout | Livescore | Fast Bet | Virtual Sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon.ru | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 1xstavka | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pari.ru | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Melbet | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
As you can tell from the above table the list of extra features available at individual sportsbooks varies significantly on which operator you’re using. You will very rarely find every feature listed above all at the same sportsbooks, and of course, there will be unique features at a sportsbook that we may not have included. The key is to shop around and take advantage of the entire range of operators within a market.
Help and Customer Support
As with any business operating to serve customers in the online or ecommerce field, customer service is central to its success. The top sports betting sites in Russia certainly recognize the need to deliver on supporting their customers will a wide-variety of different issues. Handling them in a quick and effective manner remains the key indicator of quality in our eyes.
The range of customer service support options is detailed below in the table. Each option depends greatly on how urgent your issue is. For the majority of problems you can make a direct phone call to the service centre and receive the fastest help. In other circumstances, simply draft an email with your request and wait for the response.
| Contact Method | Availability at Russian Sportsbooks | Response Time | Usually Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☎️ Telephone | Common | Up to 5 Minutes | 12 Hours a Day |
| 📧 E-Mail/Contact Form | Common | Up to 12 Hours | 24/7 |
| 👩⚕️ Live Chat | Common | Up to 20 Minutes | 12 Hours a Day |
| 💬 Messenger | Common | Up to 10 Minutes | 12 Hours a Day |
| 🌐 Social Networks | Common | Up to 10 Minutes | 24/7 |
To conclude this part of the review into Russian gambling options, when judging the quality of customer service options at competing Russian sportsbook operators – we don’t just look at range of options and speed, but also the aptitude of the customer service employee to resolve the issue. If you require an immediate answer to your question make sure to utilize the live chat support mechanism which is available 24/7 from most operators in this market.
The Sportsbook Reputation
The sportsbook reputation is an important consideration when ranking competing operators against one another. As the famous mantra goes, it takes years to build up a good reputation, and seconds to destroy it. The same is true in gambling, and new sportsbooks will have to gradually build up the trust of their users by over-delivering on quality and customer service.
Our expertise is ranking betting sites around the world, and when it comes to understanding what people think of a certain brand, whether it’s good or bad, its our job to know and report back to you. We utilize many different sources to build up our understanding of a bookmaker’s internal quality; from local news-media, customer reviews, and the well-informed opinions of our researchers.
Three Steps to Opening an Account
Now that we’ve reached the end of our ranking criteria overview, you may be wondering how exactly you can go about opening an account with an online betting site in Russia. First and foremost, you want to make sure that you have a bank account in the country, are a legal resident, and are able to provide identity verification documents if requested. See below the introductory steps to carrying out this process.
Choose a Sportsbook
The first phase of your entrance to this market is to make a pick for yourself. Choose a sportsbook recommended on this page.
Register an Account
Once you reach the home page of that operator, head on over to the section of the website where accounts are created and registered.
Identity Verification
Now that you’re registered for a Russian sportsbook it’s time to verify your identity with the customer service desk. This will enable you to make withdrawals.
In order to begin processing withdrawals from your account at a Russian sportsbook, you’ll first need to make sure that you’ve provided all the necessary verification documents. These are provided directly to the customer service team via email in most cases, and once received will allow you to make withdrawals from the site into your bank account.
eSports: CS:GO Betting Sites & More
Whenever experts start discussing the future prospects of gambling and where the industry is heading, eSports betting sites are constantly cited as offering the largest upwards growth potential. Nowadays, gamers, streamers and bettors are all coalesced into one type of customer, and many sportsbooks across the world have mastered the art of facilitating and appealing to fans of this sub-niche.
In the table below we offer some recommendations of the best online sportsbooks in Russia for gambling on eSports. For sure CS:GO betting sites are some of the most popular, but other titles including Warframe, Warzone and Starcraft remain high on the list of markets being offered across the platform.
| eSports Betting Site | Welcome Bonus | Highlights | Rating | Secure Link | T&C’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon.ru | Up to 25,000 in Freebets | 15+ , 94.13% | 5.0/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Pari.ru | Up to 5,000 RUB 100% on First Deposit | 46+ , 95.36% | 4.9/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Melbet | Up to 8,000 RUB Welcome Bonus | 15+ , 93.92% | 4.8/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| Marathonbet | Up to 120€ in Freebets | 5+ , 93.10% | 4.7/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
| 1xbet | Up to $400 in Freebets | 5+ , 94.10% | 4.7/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
If you’re still not convinced that eSports gambling is the future just take one look at the biggest influencers on YouTube for video gaming compared to traditional sports. The eSports space is highly-populated with vast amounts of content creators, professional gamers and other forms of entertainment – with all these channels gaining followings well-above the average follower count of traditional sports channels.
The Regulation of Sports Betting in Russia & the Gambling Environment
In order to discover the best sports betting site around the world it’s important to first recognise that the legality will vary significantly depending on where you decide to play. The Russian government has taken a progressive stance toward the industry in recent years, and is currently trying to develop several regional subject areas into prime locations where the gambling can prosper.
Throughout the following paragraphs we will discuss the main issues that determine the gambling laws and regulations in Russia. But at this point it is also worth noting that we only work alongside operators that are fully licensed in Russia, and those that have the legal permission to offer gaming services to Russian customers.
Licensing and Laws on Russia Sports Betting
| 🎰 Fixed Odds Betting Terminals | 1013 |
|---|---|
| 📑 Betting Shops | 27 |
| 🏛️ Land-Based Casinos | 18 |
| 💻 All Licensed Sportsbooks | 28 |
| 🏆 Best-Rated Safe Betting Sites | Our Picks |
The laws surrounding gambling in Russia are highly specific to each region within the country. Currently there are only four subject areas in the country where residents can openly bet online or at a casino. Those being Altai, Krasnodar, Kaliningrad and Primorsky. Within these areas exists a large presence of commercial gambling options, with the Russian government attempting to build the Las Vegas of the East at the coastal city of Vladivostok.
Since the turn of the 21st century, legalizing gambling has become a major policy problem for the Russian government. On the one hand it created vast amounts of wealth for the public budget through the collection of taxes on winnings – but large portions of this were offset by the damage on public health. Slot machines, online betting sites legal, and casinos spread quickly through Russia in the early 2000s and became an epidemic in their own right.
To put an end to the gambling fuelled growth of a lawless business culture, the Russian government decided that in 2009 much tougher measures would need to be taken in order to bring the industry back under control. They clamped down on the free gambling culture and practically put an end to all franchises, small casinos and sports betting site in Russia.
All legal sports betting sites and regulated gambling is based in the four economic zones aforementioned. The objectives of these rules was to remove the ease-of-access element from densely populated residential areas, but keep the financial benefits that flow from the enablement of this industry. Check out below some top gaming options for residents of Russia.
The Safest Online Betting Sites with a Valid Russia Licence
- 888 Holdings PLC – (888sport) – License No MGA/CRP/543/2018
- Federal Tax Service – (1xstavka) – License No 12
- Fairload Limited – (LV BET) – Licence No MGA/B2C/282/2015
- NetBet Enterprises Ltd – (NetBet) – Licence No MGA/B2C/126/2006
Moscow in the early 2000s had thousands of venues offering gambling services to residents, and since the law changed many of these have been shut down. Of course, the vast majority were forced underground and continue to operate on the black-market as unlicensed and unregulated operators. We cannot endorse these services, and will only feature bookmakers on this site delivering legal and safe betting services to their customers.
Websites to Avoid
When entering a new industry as a consumer whether it be motor vehicles, property or gambling, you will need to know which vendors and service providers to avoid. There are plenty of reputable online betting sites available to this region. But, unfortunately, many lesser-quality dilute the pool of options.
Trusting your money with a betting site is a very important prerequisite for feeling comfortable placing your bets with the provider. If you are looking to avoid betting companies that have a proven track record of unscrupulous behaviour, then the list of betting sites we’ve outlined below are certainly to be avoided.
- ⛔ BetterBET
- ⛔ Allhorseracing
- ⛔ GameBet
- ⛔ RiverBet
- ⛔ BigBetworld
- ⛔ 12 Bet
- ⛔ Premium Bull
- ⛔ DigiBet
- ⛔ 21Bet
These bookmakers have either lost their regulatory status to operate legally, or have built up a reputation of persistently failing their customers across a number of key performance areas. Whilst it is regrettable to have to tell our readers to avoid the services of some companies in this market, it remains entirely necessary to ensure that our readers only use trusted betting sites.
Major Milestones in Russia’s Gambling History
The history of gambling in Russia is almost as rich and diverse as its nation’s history. In a country as vast as Russia there is always going to be a decentralized approach to law-making. The regions across the country all take their own approach when it comes to the delegation of gambling legislation, and in this section we will discuss how the current regulatory and gambling environment came to be.
If you’re interested in reviewing how Russia developed as a nation under the dimension of its gambling history then read on as we take a walk through the major historic milestones. Our researchers have collected information from a wide variety of sources to build the history timeline you see below.
History of Russian Sports Betting Laws & Acts
- 1927: Investigative report into gambling The first investigative report into the gambling industry is conducted by the Russian government. It results in the conclusion that the act of gambling is a bourgeois and idle pastime that serves no practical purpose in society.
- 1928: Prohibition of gambling Following the recommendations of the report, the Russian government decides it’s time to take retrospective action. This report invokes the immediate closure of card games, roulette, lottery and other forms of gambling.
- 1988: First slot machines Russia receives the first slot machines in its country on the 1988. They first arrived at hotels, cafes and other communal rooms. They are optimized for foreign currencies and tourists mainly.
- 1989: Russia lifts ban on gambling Following nearly five decades of an outright ban on gambling, the Russian government alters its stance and begins accepting applications to open casino. The first one opens in the Savoy Hotel, Moscow.
- 2009: Gambling regulation restructured As of the 30th June 2009 the Russian Federation restructured its laws on gambling across the country. All casinos and gambling facilities were to be relocated to four economic zones, and would be prohibited everywhere else.
- 2018: Russia World Cup The new gambling laws in Russia are enforced at the 2018 Russia World Cup. Fans are only able to place bets at operators based in the free economic zones across the country, which certainly contributed to a marked increase in black market sportsbook betting.
As you can tell, the Russian government has taken a very decentralized approach towards the legislation of gambling activities within its borders. On a broader sense, they have been very inconsistent in their approach, with gambling being made illegal, then legal, then partially legal all within a relatively short period.
Future prospects of gambling’s potential in the Russian Federation look positive. For starters, the newly developed casinos in the far-east look truly set to compete with the world’s largest casino cities, from Las Vegas to Macau. Does Vladivostok and its surrounding townships have the economic weight to compete against those two giants, if it does then it will certainly be down to a success in infrastructure planning.
Betting in Russia: Decentralized Approach to Legality
Russia has taken a very distributed approach to its gambling laws in recent years, outlawing the practice in some regions, and fully endorsing it for legal enjoyment in others. This ad-hoc approach also affects betting site in Russia. Within this review we’ve introduced some of the best available throughout the country based on a series of performance indicators.
Overview of the Best Online Sportsbooks in Russia 2024:
- Betwinner – Full Stats & Scores
- Marathonbet – Live Chat Portal
- Leon.ru – Highest Football Odds
- Melbet – Top Aesthetics
- 1xbet – Great In-Play Arena
- Pari.ru – Best Hockey Markets
- Leon.ru – Best Mobile App
- 1xstavka – Best Welcome Offer
You can be sure that a gambling experience delivered by one of the operators above will be one of the best you can find in this country. Over the years our team of researchers have become experts in creating sports betting sites in Russia reviews. That’s enough talking, go ahead and try one out for yourself by clicking on a betting site above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s move forward and address some of the issues and concerns we’ve been receiving from our readers in recent weeks. If you have a question about Russian betting sites, then check our FAQs below. Each question has been answered by our team of experts.
🥇 What are the best betting sites in Russia?
There are many fantastic sportsbook operators in Russia. Scroll up through this page and you will arrive at the top betting sites available throughout Russia.
🏆 What betting offers can I find at Russian sportsbooks?
As with any gambling market, there are many betting offers in Russia that can be claimed by new and existing players. You’ll be able to access no-deposit offers, big welcome bonuses, free bets, enhanced odds and much more.
⚖️ Is betting legal in Russia?
The gambling laws in Russia are highly distributed, and depending on where you are will depend on the sports betting regulation applied. There are only four regions will fully legalized gambling at the current time.
💳 Is PayPal betting possible in Russia?
PayPal is a popular eWallet solution used all around the world – over 200 countries have access to it. In Russia you won’t have any problems betting using PayPal.
🔍 Are there any new betting sites you can recommend?
Like many gambling customers, we’re always on the lookout for exciting new betting sites. Our researchers constantly update these pages with new operators, so make sure to check back again with us soon.
😎 Is live betting possible in Russia?
It is possible to make live bets in Russia, and there are many quality sportsbooks offering this service. Check out our dedicated section on in-play betting in Russia to learn more.
👌 What is the best sport betting app I can download in Russia?
The sportsbook industry in Russia has many wonderful mobile gaming options. Check out the top sports betting apps section of this review to learn more about what’s on offer.
🏤 Is it possible to bet on elections?
Throughout Russia there are companies that facilitate all sorts of weird and wonderful bets. From novelty sports, virtuals, the weather, and political betting markets
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