MOSCOW, July 19 (RAPSI) – A group of Russian lawmakers submitted a draft bill proposing criminal liability for organizing and participating in gambling activities of any sort held outside of government-designated gambling zones.

An addendum to the bill states that since the start of 2013, 15 criminal cases involving gambling have been initiated in Moscow under the Criminal Code provision 171.2 (illegal gambling). 487 administrative investigations were conducted and more than 14,000 units of equipment confiscated.

The current legislation suggests liability for illegal gambling if such activity brings in profits higher than 1.5 million rubles ($47,450). The sponsors of the bill say that often no charges can be made because the organizers do not keep financial records, thus hampering the profits evaluation.

The bill proposes criminal liability for organizing gambling regardless of the profit turned, keeping the provisions with harsher punishments for gambling businesses with larger profits.

The federal law on banning the gambling business came into effect on July 1, 2009. Pursuant to the law, all gambling venues were either to be closed or removed to special zones. Despite the ban, underground casinos and gambling venues are continuously being uncovered and closed. After the ban, many casinos and venues have operated under the guise of Internet clubs and lotteries.