The start of 2008 brings the gambling zones of Russia a step closer. St Petersburg prohibited slot machine venues from 1 January, and over 300 such facilities have now stopped operating. Casinos in the city have a stay of execution until 30 June 2009, but only if they meet the criteria set by the federal law that comes into force on 1 July 2009. The new regional law affecting the slots halls and casinos that have insufficient capital, personnel or floor area was approved by St Petersburg authorities in June last year.

There are 45 gaming premises in St Petersburg that apparently may continue to function until mid-2009. These are owned by the largest companies including Vulkan, part of the Ritzio Entertainment Group. The tax authorities and local police are working in cooperation to close down illegally operating gambling venues and impose sanctions on the owners.

The four gambling zones approved for Russia - the Kaliningrad region, the Altai Republic, the Primorie area and the territory on the border of Rostov and Krasnodar – will be the only locations for gambling activity other than bookmakers’ premises from 1 July 2009. Internet gambling was also banned under the law.

The Russian Prime Minister, Viktor Zubkov, recently signed a ruling that will see a gambling zone of over 20 million square metres set up in the southern Russian region of Azov district in Rostov and Scherbinovsky district of Krasnodar. The area will be known as Azov-City and money is being provided by a federal fund to assist the development of tourist and recreation facilities in the region. (E-01.11.08)

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