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End of Roulette in Russia?
With the looming July 1st deadline for the closure of casinos outside four designated gaming regions in Russia, a lack of investment in replacement infrastructure does not bode well - at least not for the future of the legal casino industry.
Only three of the four zones have been properly constituted - Azov-City; Sibirskaya Moneta,and Yantarnaya. Legislation needed to formalise a zone in the Primorye Region has not been completed.
At its peak, the Russian casino industry employed around 40,000 people and job losses have already started as operators close down operations before enforced closures kick in.
Some casinos are planning to switch to providing poker, which was classified as a sport rather than a gaming activity in 2007.
Issues surrounding the move away from local, land-based casinos will be hot topic at the 18th International Gambling, Lottery and Amusement Trade Show EELEX, which is being held in Moscow, Russia on the 9-11th of June this year. www.eelex.net
