Union Reaction to Russian Laws on Gambling

Russian Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Union declared that "A Russian law banning gambling in Moscow and St. Petersburg starting in July 2009 will discourage investment in the gambling industry and should be relaxed.”

"Tactics towards banning gambling in 4 regions in Russia are pushing local gambling operators to spread out without delay outside the country, the Moscow-based union said in a March 5 statement on its web site.

"The regions where gambling will be allowed (Russia's Pacific coast, the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, Siberia's Altai region and around the Azov Sea) aren't a focus for international chains, the organization added..."