Russian President Firm on Reginal Zoning of All Gambling

MOSCOW, Russia -- As reported by the Moscow Times: "Using uncharacteristically stern language, President Dmitry Medvedev told Federal Tax Service chief Mikhail Mokretsov last week that he would
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev  tolerate no delays in moving all gambling to special regional zones within two months.

"...New rules approved in late 2006 require all gambling establishments to move to one of four zones established for the industry by July 1 of this year. Casinos must be closed, and betting will be banned outside the zones, which are located in areas on the Azov Sea, in the Far East and in the Altai and Kaliningrad regions. The legislation was introduced to the State Duma by then-President Vladimir Putin.

"The rules have come under fire from casinos and investors in the gambling zones, who have said that the zones don't have the infrastructure to build new casinos in time for the summer deadline.

"Casino owners have said they will be forced to transform their establishments into less profitable restaurants, concert halls and even poker clubs to stay open in Moscow, their main market..."