Russia legalised casinos in the 1990's but because of all the social problems it caused, they are now doing ab about face.
Will the PAP do the same thing in 10, 20,... years time
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8126120.stm
Russian city gamblers' last bets
Casino in Moscow. File photo
Casinos have mushroomed in Russia's cities since the fall of the USSR in 1991
Gamblers in Moscow and other major Russian cities are placing their last bets ahead of a government ban on casinos and gaming halls.
A new law comes into effect at midnight, confining gambling to four regions far from the capital.
It bans gambling on the internet and at airports, supermarkets and other sites.
But critics say the move will leave more than 300,000 people without jobs and push the industry underground, amid a continuing economic crisis in Russia.
'Unrealistic idea'
The law was passed by the Russian parliament in 2006 and was the initiative of the then President Vladimir Putin, who is now serving as prime minister.
Let them close. For that matter, get them out of Russia altogether
Galina Beleznikova, pensioner
From 1 July, Russian gamblers will be restricted to specific zones in the Kaliningrad region by the Baltic Sea, the Primorye region in the Far East, Altai in Siberia and an area in the south spanning the Rostov and Krasnodar regions.
The dedicated gambling zones require massive investment, and critics argue that they are far from ready.
"This is a dead unrealistic idea," Samuel Binder, deputy executive director at the Russian Association for Gaming Business Development, was quoted as saying by Reuters.
"It's preposterous to think these replacements could be up and running soon... Even those who have investments for gaming have realised they'd rather take their money elsewhere in the ex-Soviet Union or to Latin America," Mr Binder said.
Casinos and slot machines spread across Russia after the collapse of the USSR in 1991.
Some parts of Moscow now bear more resemblance to Las Vegas than the heart of a nation which once provided the most powerful alternative to Western capitalism.
But the spread of casinos has provoked distaste among many Russians, especially the older and poorer generation.
"Let them close. For that matter, get them out of Russia altogether," Galina Beleznikova, aged 65, told the Associated Press.
Will the PAP do the same thing in 10, 20,... years time
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8126120.stm
Russian city gamblers' last bets
Casino in Moscow. File photo
Casinos have mushroomed in Russia's cities since the fall of the USSR in 1991
Gamblers in Moscow and other major Russian cities are placing their last bets ahead of a government ban on casinos and gaming halls.
A new law comes into effect at midnight, confining gambling to four regions far from the capital.
It bans gambling on the internet and at airports, supermarkets and other sites.
But critics say the move will leave more than 300,000 people without jobs and push the industry underground, amid a continuing economic crisis in Russia.
'Unrealistic idea'
The law was passed by the Russian parliament in 2006 and was the initiative of the then President Vladimir Putin, who is now serving as prime minister.
Let them close. For that matter, get them out of Russia altogether
Galina Beleznikova, pensioner
From 1 July, Russian gamblers will be restricted to specific zones in the Kaliningrad region by the Baltic Sea, the Primorye region in the Far East, Altai in Siberia and an area in the south spanning the Rostov and Krasnodar regions.
The dedicated gambling zones require massive investment, and critics argue that they are far from ready.
"This is a dead unrealistic idea," Samuel Binder, deputy executive director at the Russian Association for Gaming Business Development, was quoted as saying by Reuters.
"It's preposterous to think these replacements could be up and running soon... Even those who have investments for gaming have realised they'd rather take their money elsewhere in the ex-Soviet Union or to Latin America," Mr Binder said.
Casinos and slot machines spread across Russia after the collapse of the USSR in 1991.
Some parts of Moscow now bear more resemblance to Las Vegas than the heart of a nation which once provided the most powerful alternative to Western capitalism.
But the spread of casinos has provoked distaste among many Russians, especially the older and poorer generation.
"Let them close. For that matter, get them out of Russia altogether," Galina Beleznikova, aged 65, told the Associated Press.
