Final Bets Placed, Russian Casino Gambling No Longer Exists

It was a historic day in Russia for the casino gambling industry. People flocked to still open casinos trying to get their last few bets in before the casinos closed their doors for the day. Once the casinos closed, they would never be re-opened again.

That is because wednesday was the day chosen by the Russian government to end casino gambling in the country. All casinos were ordered closed as of Wednesday, and it now has left almost 400,000 Russians without employment.

"This is a sad day for many Russians," said observer Timothy Helmer, "not only for the people who enjoyed casino gambling, but also for the thousands that will have to either find different jobs or relocate to another country."

Many of the casino owners claim they will not move their businesses to one of the four approved zones. The government chose four zones, away from the main cities, where casinos could still operate, but casino owners believe there is no money to be made in these zones.

"Are we going to move? Of course we are not," said Konstantin Kopylov, owner of Kristall, as reported by RIA-Novosti, "You cannot run a business on someone's wish. Business is run in the areas where a profit can be made."

The government, in addition to wanting the casinos away from the big cities, also had the idea that casinos in the four zones could help revive the poverty stricken areas, but casino owners are not willing to invest the $40 million it will take to relocate their existing businesses.

July 1, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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