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On an unspecified date, Russia's State Duma (lower house of parliament) passed legislation in second and third readings to expedite the blocking of websites facilitating illegal gambling operations. The law reduces the timeframe for the Federal Tax Service (FTS) to review applications from the Unified Gambling Regulator, a state-owned public law company, from five working days to two working days. The accelerated review process applies to applications identifying domain names, website page indicators, and internet network addresses containing information suggesting violations of gambling operation prohibitions. The legislation aims to streamline the removal of unlawful gambling content from the internet more efficiently. According to Maxim Topilin, chair of the State Duma's Committee on Economic Policy, the legislative change is designed to strengthen enforcement against the shadow gambling sector, increase confidence in state-regulated gambling platforms, and enhance overall digital space security. The law represents Russia's continued efforts to combat illegal online gambling operations while protecting the integrity of its regulated gambling market. The legislation applies to all entities involved in identifying and reporting illegal gambling activities online, including the Unified Gambling Regulator and relevant government authorities responsible for enforcing gambling prohibitions. This development reflects Russia's commitment to maintaining control over its gambling sector and preventing unlicensed operators from conducting business through digital channels. REFERENCES: State Duma official website (Russian language source)