Russian, Belarusian Bets Remain Banned After 3 Years

• The Colorado Division of Gaming issued Bulletin 10 on March 4, 2022, banning sportsbooks from accepting wagers on Russian and Belarussian governing bodies, leagues, teams, players, and events.
• Other states like Louisiana followed suit, putting in a ban a few days after, while states that launched later (Massachusetts) already had this ban in place.
• Gaming commissions have not changed their mind on the ban, despite President Donald Trump putting himself in the middle of a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

DENVER – Three years after the initial restrictions were placed, sportsbooks in the U.S. continue to enforce a ban on betting related to Russian and Belarusian athletes, teams, and events. With no official changes to state regulations, bettors remain unable to place wagers on competitions tied to these countries, leaving many in the industry questioning when, or if, the markets will reopen.

Regulatory Silence Keeps Ban in Place

Colorado, one of the largest regulated sports betting markets in the U.S., has remained firm on its stance. A spokesperson for the state’s Division of Gaming confirmed with LegalSportsBetting there had been no movement on the matter, stating:

“We have received no further directives from the executive director’s office on this matter (since the industry bulletin #10 was published.) Currently, there has been no change to the allowance of Russian and Belarusian governing bodies, leagues, teams, players, and events wagering in Colorado.”

This mirrors the approach taken by regulators in other states with legal sports betting, many of which implemented similar bans following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. These measures were put in place not only as a symbolic stand against the conflict but also due to concerns over the integrity of Russian and Belarusian sports, given state-controlled entities’ influence over various leagues.

Uncertainty Over Lifting the Ban

Despite shifting geopolitical developments, including discussions of potential ceasefire talks between Russia and the U.S., sportsbook operators and regulatory bodies remain hesitant to adjust their policies. The lack of clarity on when the war may end adds to the reluctance, as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that peace with Russia could be “very, very far away.”

President Donald Trump, who has expressed frustration over Ukraine’s position, has reportedly fast-tracked a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. For reference, less than two weeks ago, Donald Trump had -400 odds to meet Putin before April ended.

While this move has sparked speculation about a potential ceasefire agreement, there is no guarantee that such talks would immediately impact sports betting regulations.

The reintroduction of Russian and Belarusian betting markets will likely hinge on official diplomatic resolutions rather than speculative peace talks. Even if a ceasefire were to be reached in the near future, regulators would still need to reassess whether lifting the ban aligns with state policies and international concerns.

For now, legal US sportsbooks remain bound by state commissions’ directives, leaving bettors in limbo. While some believe Russian and Belarusian odds could return within months of a formal peace agreement, others argue that geopolitical tensions, economic sanctions, and concerns over match-fixing could keep the restrictions in place indefinitely.

News tags: Belarus | Bulletin 10 | Colorado | Donald Trump | Louisiana | Massachusetts | Russia | Ukraine | Vladimir Putin | Volodymyr Zelensky