Casinos walk out of Russia

1 July 2009, Russia banned casinos and slot machines. All the gambling places are supposed ever since to relocate themselves to four special areas within Russia, i.e. in Primorsky, Altaisky, Kaliningrad and Krasnodar-Rostov areas, yet alas those turned to be unprepared. A month ago, entrepreneurs were sure that the casinos and roulettes would remain where they were untouched due to huge taxes paid (up to 27 billion RUB or 5.5. billion NOK monthly), yet the Government ethically decided that the morals of its citizens cost more. The failure to follow the law is to impose a fine of up to 500.000 RUB (about 100.000 NOK) and a penal charge of up to 6 months.

Lotteries, sweepstakes, totalizators and bookmakers are still allowed in accordance to the law. This is found as an advantage by some inventive entrepreneurs as far as the slot machines can be easily reprogrammed into lotteries. Yet, many of the gambling establishments closed down before the “day of doom”.

Source: www.barentsnova.com