MOSCOW, July 30 (RAPSI) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law toughening punishment for unlawful organization of gambling, the press-service of the President has stated.

According to the bill, unlicensed gambling held in betting organizations outside special zones as well as systematic provision of premises for unlawful gambling may result in criminal liability.

Organization of a casino outside gambling zones without license or using the Internet will result in a prison term up to 2 years as well as fines of up to 500,000 rubles ($7,950). If the crime is committed by a group, prison term may rise up to 4 years while a fine may reach 1,000,000 rubles ($15,900). The crime committed by an organized criminal group, with the use of office, or on especially large scale, may result in a 6-year prison term and a fine of up to 1.5 million rubles ($23,900).

The same measures are to be applied to people systematically providing premises for unlawful gambling, the bill reads.