The Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI) is a state‑run system designed to bring online betting under a single umbrella, increase transparency for both the state and players, and simultaneously tighten requirements for operators. On 3S.INFO, we break down how the introduction of ERAI has reshaped Russia's online gambling landscape, what the key figures look like for 2025, how the new model is affecting the bookmaker market, what to expect in 2026–2030, and why all of this matters for affiliate marketing in betting.

The History of Gambling in Russia: The ERAI Era

Before the emergence of ERAI (Unified Gambling Regulator), Russian online betting operated under a "transitional" regulatory model. Legal bookmakers worked through the Centralized Accounting of Transfers and Interactive Bets (CUPIS), while offshore versions of the same brands existed in parallel. The state gradually tightened the screws, from bans on land‑based casinos to advertising restrictions and tax hikes. The goal was clear: reduce the share of the "gray" segment and move as many players as possible into a controlled online environment.

ERAI became the logical continuation of this trend. Instead of multiple accounting centers and various points of interaction, the state is creating a single framework through which key online gambling processes flow: registration, betting accounting, financial flow control, compliance with limits, and responsible gaming requirements. In effect, the ERAI era marks a shift from a "patchwork" regulation toward an attempt to consolidate all legal online betting into a single registry and under one monitoring system.

ERAI's Launch Date

ERAI was established and operates under Federal Law No. 493 of December 30, 2020, "On the Public Law Company 'Unified Gambling Regulator' and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation."

The launch of ERAI was not a single‑day event, but a gradual transition. First, laws were passed and the legal framework for the unified regulator was established. Then, existing licensed bookmakers began to be onboarded. In practice, this unfolded in several stages:

  • The transfer of betting and player identification records from legacy systems to the new framework;
  • The phased onboarding of major brands and the integration of their payment and accounting mechanisms;
  • The introduction of mandatory ERAI participation for those wishing to remain in the "white" zone.

For the market, this meant a behind‑the‑scenes infrastructure shift: the same brands, the same apps and websites, but a different point of interaction with the state and other system participants.

How ERAI Functions Today

Today, ERAI can be described as a "central accounting office" and monitoring system for online betting, performing several core functions:

  • It maintains a unified register of bets and winnings across all licensed operators;
  • It helps enforce age restrictions, self‑exclusion, limits, and other responsible gambling measures;
  • It ensures transparency of financial flows, from player deposits to taxes on operators' gross revenue;
  • It serves as a synchronization point between bookmakers, payment infrastructure, and government bodies.

At the same time, ERAI does not replace the operator. Bookmakers remain responsible for their product, odds, UX, and marketing. ERAI sets the framework and collects the data, while the operator builds its business within that framework.

ERAI vs. Unified CUPIS: Key Differences for Bookmakers

The key difference is that ERAI and the Unified CUPIS (1CUPIS) handle different parts of the system: ERAI is responsible for regulation and oversight, while the Unified CUPIS manages financial settlements and the accounting of betting transfers.

Роль и функции

ERAI (Unified Gambling Regulator)

  • A public law company established by the state to oversee and regulate online gambling.
  • It operates an information system that aggregates data on all bets placed with licensed bookmakers: stakes, winnings, attempts at fraud, self‑exclusions, limits, and more.
  • ERAI monitors compliance with legislation, mandatory sports contributions, responsible gambling mechanisms, and coordinates with regulatory authorities.

Unified CUPIS (1CUPIS)

  • A non‑bank credit institution serving as the "center for accounting of interactive betting transfers," responsible for financial transactions between players and bookmakers.
  • By law, all payments for legal online betting must pass through it: deposits, wager placement, and withdrawal of winnings. Bookmakers are prohibited from accepting money directly, bypassing 1CUPIS.
  • It withholds mandatory contributions from bets and transfers them to ERAI, which then distributes the funds among sports leagues and federations.

How does this look for a bookmaker?

To operate legally, a bookmaker must:

  1. Hold a license from the Federal Tax Service;
  2. Be connected to the ERAI information system;
  3. Process all player transactions through 1CUPIS.
  • For the bookmaker, ERAI serves as the "supervisory center": it monitors bets, verifies mandatory contributions, oversees responsible gambling, and transmits data to regulators.
  • The Unified CUPIS acts as the "payment gateway": it handles the actual money transfers, integration with banks, identity verification through Gosuslugi, and automatic deduction of mandatory contributions.

How does this look for a player?

  • ERAI is not directly visible to the player. It's part of the "behind‑the‑scenes" infrastructure.
  • The Unified CUPIS, however, is experienced as a single wallet. One account allows deposits and withdrawals across different licensed bookmakers, with all payments processed through a single service.

In short: ERAI is about laws, data, and market oversight; 1CUPIS is about money, transactions, and the technical implementation of interactive betting for licensed bookmakers. Together, they form a "regulator + payment center" partnership, without which legal online betting in Russia cannot function today.

ERAI's Key Performance Indicators for 2025

As of 2025, several key "metrics" can be highlighted to assess ERAI's performance and the new regulatory model:

  • The share of bets passing through the legal framework compared to estimates of the "gray" market;
  • The gross gaming revenue (GGR) of licensed operators and corresponding tax receipts;
  • The number of onboarded brands and their activity levels (new products, betting lines, promotions);
  • The trend in player engagement with the legal sector versus offshore alternatives.

ERAI's key performance indicators for 2025 can be grouped into three main categories: market volume, mandatory contributions, and the regulator's own financial performance.

The total volume of bets accepted by licensed bookmakers in Russia in 2024 reached ~1.7 trillion rubles. By early 2025, ERAI reported a roughly 40% increase in the volume of bets accepted, bringing the figure to 1.7 trillion rubles compared to the previous period.

GGR of licensed bookmakers:

  • 2023: 302.1 billion rubles
  • 2024: 414.9 billion rubles
  • 9 months of 2025: 316.3 billion rubles

Mandatory Contributions and Sports Funding

  • Bookmakers' mandatory contributions for 2025 totaled 38.11 billion rubles (compared to 35.31 billion rubles the previous year).
  • Since the start of ERAI's operations, the Unified CUPIS has transferred a total of 84 billion rubles in mandatory contributions to the regulator for the development of Russian sports over four years.
  • In 2025, approximately 21 billion rubles in off‑budget funds were allocated to the state program "Sport of Russia" through ERAI.

ERAI's Financial Performance

  • ERAI's net profit for 2025 amounted to 243.6 million rubles, a 45.9% increase compared to the previous year.
  • Interest income on bank account balances and deposits reached 323.7 million rubles, up 55.1% year‑on‑year.
  • Voluntary property contributions and donations totaled 325.3 million rubles, a 40.8% increase from 2024.
  • Management and administrative expenses amounted to 244.7 million rubles, up 30.6% over the year.

These figures indicate that in 2025, ERAI processed a growing volume of bets, increased mandatory contributions to sports, while also demonstrating growth in its own profits and income from fund placement.

The Impact of the New Regulatory System on the Bookmaker Market

The introduction of ERAI brought several significant changes for bookmakers.

  1. Increased control. Any licensed bookmaker now operates under constant monitoring: bets, payouts, player behavior, limits. Everything flows into the regulator's unified dashboard. This reduces room for maneuvering but increases state trust and provides a clearer picture of the market.
  2. New requirements for product and operations. Bookmakers must adapt their systems to unified standards, from registration and identification to transaction reporting and compliance with responsible gambling rules. This adds costs for development, compliance, legal, and financial control.
  3. A changed competitive environment. Formally, all legal operators are now "on the same playing field": the same regulator, comparable requirements, and a shared level of oversight. Pressure on offshore operators has also intensified. How successful this has been depends on whether the legal product can be made convenient and attractive enough to keep players voluntarily in the licensed segment.

For players, this brings both positives (transparency, protection, the ability to resolve disputes within the legal framework) and negatives (stricter limits, more rigorous verification, and occasionally less flexible bonuses compared to offshore alternatives).

List of Russian Bookmakers Connected to ERAI

All licensed bookmakers in Russia are required to operate through the ERAI information system, meaning they are connected to the unified gambling regulator.

According to industry rankings and reviews as of 2026, all bookmakers holding a Federal Tax Service license and authorized to accept interactive bets are connected to ERAI. The list of licensed operators includes:

In all of these, online betting is processed through 1CUPIS, while financial transactions and mandatory contributions are monitored by ERAI.

Looking ahead to 2026–2030, several structural trends can be expected around ERAI and the regulation of online betting in Russia:

  • Further tightening of control over the "gray" segment through domain blocking, payment channel restrictions, and ad source targeting;
  • Refinement of RG rules (limits, self‑exclusion, financial checks for certain player categories);
  • Potential changes to the tax model, balancing the burden on operators with the state's desire to maintain the licensed sector's competitiveness;
  • Deepening of the "ERAI + financial systems" linkage, including tighter integration with banks, payment services, and anti‑fraud mechanisms;
  • Redefinition of roles for operators, affiliates, and the regulator within the broader ecosystem.

The Future of ERAI Regulation: Potential Changes in 2026–2030

How ERAI‑related regulation may evolve in the coming years: not as a legal forecast, but as scenario‑based directions.

Direction2026–2027: Likely Steps2028–2030: Possible Evolution
Offshore controlTighter domain and payment blocking, targeted criminal cases against online casino operatorsMore systematic engagement with international jurisdictions, data‑sharing agreements
Responsible gamblingExpansion of self‑exclusion tools, stricter limits for certain player groupsA targeted approach: differentiated rules based on risk categories and player behavior
Tax policyTargeted adjustments to tax rates and the tax base, industry‑wide discussionsBalancing act: possible incentives for investment and innovation while maintaining budget revenues
Technology and dataDeeper integration of ERAI with payment systems and anti‑fraud solutionsUse of advanced analytics and algorithms for responsible gambling prevention
The role of affiliatesStricter requirements for affiliate programs, greater transparency of traffic sourcesFormation of a "white" affiliate segment with certification and clear operating rules

ERAI: Conclusions and Outlook for Affiliate Marketing in Russian Betting

For affiliates and media buyers, the real value of ERAI lies not in legal wording but in the practical answers to key questions:

  • how competitive the legal market remains compared to offshore alternatives;
  • how predictable the rules of the game will be in the coming years;
  • how operator economics and affiliate program terms are evolving.

If ERAI helps create a transparent and predictable environment where:

  • players get a safe and convenient product;
  • operators remain profitable and can invest in marketing and innovation;
  • the state has market visibility and stable tax revenues,

then affiliates have a real opportunity to play the long game, building content, communities, streaming, and SEO projects around licensed operators.

If, however, regulation swings too far toward "safety at all costs" or "fiscal pressure above all else," risks will grow. Licensed brands may cut marketing budgets and affiliate programs, while a portion of traffic could migrate to the "gray" zone.

This is why the key question for affiliate marketing in Russia for 2026–2030 is the same as in Ontario's case: will the ERAI‑backed system make the licensed product attractive enough for players to voluntarily choose it over offshore alternatives? If the answer is yes, Russia's betting market will remain a promising space for white‑hat traffic and long‑term strategies.