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- The state of poker in Russia in 2024
- Nuances of withdrawing funds from online platforms today
- Difference between offline and online winnings
- Which poker room to choose in Russia in 2024
- Pokerdom
- PokerOK
- RedStarPoker
- Jack Poker
- MobilePokerClub
- Americas Cardroom
- TigerGaming
- Criteria for choosing reliable poker rooms
- Frequently asked questions about choosing a poker room
- Does playing online poker violate Russian legislation?
- Which poker room should I choose to play for rubles?
- What are the best sites for players from Russia?
- Is it possible to make a deposit using a Russian debit card?
Which one to choose? Today, there are a number of online rooms available for Russians, for example, RedStarPoker, Pokerdom, MobilePokerClub and others. However, we must take into account that some poker rooms will be unavailable to Russians in 2024.
What should you take into account? Almost every poker room has its own features, which are important to consider if you want to dive into the process without having to worry about the safety and security of your personal data, as well as the legality of the platforms.
The state of poker in Russia in 2024
Over the years, there is a tendency for the popularity of poker to grow in Russia. This is quite natural, since this exciting game requires not only skills, but also a strategic approach. There are many online poker rooms available to choose from in the Russian market.
As of today, poker is illegal in Russia. The whole picture is quite ambiguous. According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, playing poker offline is legal in special gambling zones:
- Krasnaya Polyana (Krasnodar region).
- Siberian Coin (Altai region).
- Primorye (Primorsky Krai).
- Yantarnaya (Kaliningrad region).
Organizing card game events for real money is illegal, with the exception of the special gambling zones mentioned above. At the same time, illegal underground clubs still exist in Russia. All people that are caught in a place like this are being held accountable.
The issue of regulating online poker in Russia is also controversial. We want to emphasize that gambling sites are considered illegal. At the same time, users from the Russian Federation can play poker using these resources without any fear of liability.
Certain editions of big platforms are available in Russia, like PokerStars Sochi and Partypoker Sochi.
Which poker room to choose for playing in Russia in 2024? First, you need to pay attention to the reliability and security of the site. In our rating system, we put emphasis on this characteristic, as well as technical support, user-friendly interface and the availability of various game formats. Every poker room offers bonuses to beginners and professionals.
Nuances of withdrawing funds from online platforms today
Players from Russia face difficulties with making deposits and withdrawals in foreign online poker rooms. This is due to the tightening of federal legislation.
A number of Russian banks do not conduct transactions to poker rooms. It is also impossible to carry out payment transactions in QIWI and YuMoney.
In this regard, in some poker rooms the only option left is to use foreign electronic wallets (Skrill, Neteller and ecoPayz). Therefore, users face a number of difficulties when depositing and withdrawing funds.
Difference between offline and online winnings
From tax reporting standpoint it is profitable to play in special gambling areas. Winnings are subject to taxation. Player has to pay that tax and casino takes over the reporting.
Online poker players must file a Form 3-NDFL declaration and pay income tax. Deposits made into the account are not included in the calculation of the taxable amount.
If you won less than 4,000 rubles in a year, you do not need to file a return and pay tax. In addition, when calculating the amount to be paid, that amount of 4,000 rubles is still tax deductible.
Which poker room to choose in Russia in 2024
Pokerdom
This is the only poker room where you can play for rubles. There are many beginner players in this poker room.
There are welcome bonuses for newcomers. You can make a deposit in various ways, including via Russian debit cards.
The poker room makes it easy to withdraw money, if 72 hours have passed after first deposit. Pokerdom takes no commission on withdrawals or deposits.
autosport.com.ru
PokerOK
PokerOK is one of the most visited sites according to PokerScout ratings. Poker tables are active around the clock. The poker room aim is an audience from the former CIS countries, except Ukraine. Players from Russia have the opportunity to deposit funds both in rubles from a debit card and in cryptocurrency.
RedStarPoker
One of the biggest poker rooms, part of iPoker network. RedStarPoker ranks third worldwide in terms of online gaming traffic. The poker room aim is users from Russia. You can call this platform as one of the most convenient in the CIS region, as there is a wide selection of deposit methods. It is also possible to top up from domestic debit cards.
Jack Poker
This is the best online poker room in Latin America. Players from Russia can also play on this site. The interface and software are at a high level, there are no difficulties with making a deposit or cash-out. In addition, JackPoker offers great bonuses to users and organizes tournaments.
Various types of poker are available on the site: cash games in Hold’em and Omaha, push-fold games, MTT tournaments and Spin’n’Go tournaments. The range of stakes is quite wide.
Pros of JackPoker:
- Tournaments.
- Freeroll Festival with a prize pool of up to $200,000.
- You can play directly from browser.
- Loyalty program: monthly updates of promotions and bonuses on the site.
- Personal offers for active poker room players.
- Quests for tournament players with rewards.
MobilePokerClub
This poker room would suit users who prefer to gamble on their mobile phone. It is aimed specifically at this target audience. The application is compatible with all types of portable devices, including PDAs and phones running on Symbian, Java and Windows Phone.
There is a web version of the application for playing on a computer.
MobilePokerClub is aimed at beginners. The playing field is weak, consisting only of amateurs. Activity is concentrated at micro and low limits.
Pros of the poker room:
- The functionality is adapted for downloading to any device, including outdated OS.
- Wide range of tournament formats with buy-ins from 50 cents and with high prize pools.
- An extensive network of tournaments with free participation (freerolls).
- The network is independent and reliable.
- New loyalty program with rakeback up to 59.5%.
- There are Chinese poker tables.
- Online series with affordable buy-ins.
- Accessible payment systems.
- Technical support in Russian.
- Ability to carry out transactions in cryptocurrency.
- Free tables available.
Americas Cardroom
Americas Cardroom is a popular poker room on the Winning Poker Network (WPN). A large number of players from the USA and other countries are concentrated on the site. Russian clients get a fixed 27% rakeback without any dependence on status or rake.
TigerGaming
TigerGaming is a popular platform for professionals. The poker room is part of the Chico network. It is possible to play against Canadian recreational players and bookmaker customers who are frankly weak players. Cons: content is in English and there is no cashback.
Criteria for choosing reliable poker rooms
Which poker room to choose? We create the ranking of online platforms according to the following criteria:
- A license is a necessity for a site to be on the recommendation list. Those who have permission to operate from the state have an additional advantage. Documentation must be publicly available on the site.
- High-quality software: we check how it performs on different devices, as well as in force majeure conditions (safety of user actions in the event of a technical failure).
- Available payment systems: availability of different methods of making deposits and withdrawals, commissions, limits, withdrawal time.
- Availability of a HUD interface: Whether it is allowed or not and how is it controlled.
- Types of poker games, bet limits, prize money.
- Tournaments with free participation, cash tables, satellites, rake races, MTTs.
- Rake percentage in cash games and tournaments.
- Loyalty program, rakeback, how it is calculated.
- Bonus system (bonus types, withdrawal conditions).
- Technical support: language of communication, professionalism and problem solving speed.
- Feedback from poker players.
We collect data based on the listed criteria and then points are awarded. Poker rooms are ranked based on the final score. If point system results contradict the reputation of the room in players’ community, then such a site cannot be in the top positions on the list.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a poker room
Does playing online poker violate Russian legislation?
It does not. People can play poker without legal consequences. The key thing here is to pay tax on profits.
Which poker room should I choose to play for rubles?
As of today, you can only play for rubles in Pokerdom.
The bottom line of stakes is quite low, playing field is weak, and you have access to a number of freerolls and satellites.
What are the best sites for players from Russia?
Before choosing a poker room, it is important to answer the question: what is more important to you – bonuses and rakeback system or a weak playing field?
If the answer is rakeback system, then the preferred options are RedStarPoker, PokerKing, PokerOK, AmericasCardroom and BlackChipPoker.
If you want a weaker player field and many recreational players around, go for one of the following poker rooms: Pokerdom, MobilePokerClub, TigerGaming, BetOnline and SportsBetting.
Is it possible to make a deposit using a Russian debit card?
It is. The thing is that direct transactions from Russian debit cards are forbidden. However, it is possible to make a deposit using an exclusive card. This is how it is done: through special services, the deposit is processed as a transfer to an individual in the same bank. Such operations are not forbidden.
Pay attention to the instructions in the poker room. It reveals all the intricacies of making a deposit.
To conclude, right now the state of poker in Russian Federation is quite uncertain. Gambling is allowed only in gambling areas, and online platforms are blocked from time to time. For organizing offline games, including at home with friends, you can be fined and even prosecuted.
