Russia’s casino industry is still heading for drastic change as of July 2009. After July, according to a 2007 law, casinos will only be allowed to operate in one of four special zones.

To date over 1,000 casinos in Moscow have ceased operations.

According to Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the casinos have been replaced by stores, art galleries, libraries, children’s organizations and clinics.

Proponents of the change claim that moving the casinos out of the cities will reduce compulsive gambling. Opponents say the move will increase illegal gambling operations in the cities and reduce their tax base.

With just seven months to go until the new law comes into effect, there has been little news of development in the four regions.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.