Russian bookmakers called social initiatives a strategic business priority at a round table hosted by sports outlet Championat at the Best Bookmaker awards. The discussion focused on how betting companies are expanding their social and charitable programs across Russia, according to a report published on the Championat website.
Vyacheslav Opakhin, the editor-in-chief of Championat, led the panel on the evolving role of betting companies in sports and wider society. Participants at the event emphasized that social programs are no longer viewed merely as image building tools, but have become a core component of long-term business growth.
Championat is a major Russian digital sports news portal covering domestic and international athletic events, leagues, and sports industry developments. The publication hosted the discussion as part of the inaugural Best Bookmaker awards, which coincided with Russian Bookmaker Day.
Industry Leaders and Key Topics
The panel brought together key executives from major sports betting operators alongside representatives from sports and media organizations. Speakers included Viktoria Alemanova, marketing director at Liga Stavok, and Alexey Babichev, director of integrated communications and sustainable development at PARI and founder of the Pari and Win charity foundation.
Nikolai Oganezov, advisor to the general director of Fonbet, and Nina Podgornova, PR director at Leon, represented their respective sports wagering companies during the discussion. Journalist and marathon runner Olesya Seregina and Dmitry Dronov, president of the Ice Hockey Federation of Nizhny Novgorod, also took part in the round table.
Fonbet and Liga Stavok are among the oldest and largest sports betting companies operating in Russia, while PARI and Leon also hold established positions in the commercial gambling market. Nizhny Novgorod, a major city in western Russia on the Volga River, maintains an active regional ice hockey ecosystem overseen by its sports federation.
Focus on Charity and Social Initiatives
Panelists outlined several primary focus areas for corporate social responsibility within the Russian betting sector. Key topics included charitable giving, the construction of accessible sports infrastructure, support for local community initiatives, and the promotion of responsible gambling principles.
Speakers also highlighted the organization of public sports events and the development of new event formats for cities across Russia. The panel concluded that active involvement in social projects helps gambling operators strengthen ties with society while contributing to the resolution of urgent social challenges.
Organizers used a multi-stage evaluation system to determine the winners across categories for the inaugural industry awards ceremony. According to the organizers, total audience reach for the Best Bookmaker awards surpassed 7 million users.
