Battle.net accounts in Russia and Belarus face a gift-giving restriction that prevents receiving gifts from other users, a situation reported by DTF Portal. This means that when someone attempts to send a game as a gift to a Battle.net account based in the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus, the recipient will encounter an error stating that the friend cannot receive the gift. The exact reason for this restriction has not been publicly disclosed. Analysts and players speculate that the rule may be designed to prevent circumvention of the service’s purchase restrictions, rather than to target specific regions or players.
Not all forms of digital content are affected equally. Some items, such as time-based game codes for World of Warcraft, appear to be exempt from the ban, allowing purchases that can be redeemed with a pre-assigned code. This distinction suggests the policy is more nuanced than a blanket prohibition on all gifts, potentially focusing on the mechanics of how a gift is delivered or redeemed.
The situation has led to discussions among Blizzard users about account management options. At present, Blizzard has not issued an official public statement addressing the gift ban. Players in Russia and Belarus who want Blizzard PC titles may need to create a new Blizzard account or migrate their existing account to a different region to continue purchasing and playing games. This regional pathway may involve considerations such as language preferences, currency, and account security, all of which are worth researching before making a regional switch.
Battle.net, a Blizzard Entertainment platform, enables players to buy and play titles across popular franchises such as World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and more. The platform also supports a variety of digital services, social features, and ongoing game updates that contribute to a unified ecosystem for PC gaming.
In related industry conversations, there have been broader discussions about regional restrictions on digital goods and how they affect players who travel or relocate. While some regions implement strict controls, others maintain more permissive gift options. For players watching policy changes, staying informed through official Blizzard communications and trusted gaming news outlets remains important to understand how these rules may evolve over time.
Overall, the current gift restriction in Russia and Belarus highlights how regional policy differences can impact how players share content within large gaming ecosystems. As the situation develops and more official guidance becomes available, players are advised to review account settings, regional options, and any notices from Blizzard to determine the best course of action for their specific circumstances (via DTF Portal as a background reference).