Russia continues to explore ways to control the market for in-game items. First Deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and state Construction Irina Rukavishnikova told TASS that in May, Russian senators will hold a public discussion on this issue.
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Rukavishnikova pointed out that there are active conversations in the gaming and legal communities about regulating online games in general, since there are a large number of players interacting with each other. However, they are particularly concerned about trading in-game items.
"Experts pay special attention to the problem of exercising citizens' rights in relation to objects of virtual gaming property, because with the development of the gaming industry, virtual gaming items have acquired economic value," Rukavishnikova said.
The senators will also discuss the protection of personal data in games and the fight against gambling addiction in children and adolescents.
Rukavishnikova added that the authorities should cooperate with representatives of gaming companies while working on new measures to regulate the industry.
This is not the first time in Russia that the topic of in-game item market control has been raised. In 2022, the government proposed to bring this market out of the gray zone. The authorities noted that in-game items can be used for money laundering and terrorist financing, in addition, their turnover is not taxed.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a number of instructions related to the gaming industry. In December 2023, he instructed to classify games, start checking game content for compliance with laws and keep records of financial transactions in games from foreign developers. In March 2024, Putin also instructed the government to consider organizing console production in Russia.