In Russia, bookmakers will soon start accepting bets on matches of the Media League, as announced by Nikolai Osipov, the president of the media football tournament, in a Telegram channel called Insides from Karp.
The launch is scheduled for either autumn 2026 or spring 2027. To ensure fair play, referees and players will undergo polygraph tests to check for match-fixing. A games verification committee will be established with the support of the Russian Football Union (RFU), and officiating will be strengthened by current referees from regional football federations.
Previously, Osipov was against collaborating with operators due to the risk of match-fixing but has now agreed to work with clubs. Lobbying efforts have intensified following increased taxes for bookmakers, leading sponsors to cut budgets or withdraw from contracts. Teams will also gain the right to promote their own partners during broadcasts and on LED screens, a privilege that previously belonged solely to the league.