Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

The gambling bill submitted by President Vladimir Putin in October spells out really tough measures. The idea is moving all gambling houses of Russia to four special zones by January 1, 2009. The zones are to be created by July 1, 2007. Moreover, the gambling houses with assets below 600 million rubles won't survive at all. But the bill is likely to be softened. The sources say once the State Duma passes it in the first reading, the deputies will come up with certain amendments authorizing the government to extend the transition period at its discretion. The transition period is to take from seven to 12 years, said Oleg Zhuravsky, president of Internet Gambling Association and National Association of Bookmakers. Moreover, the government will have no time to create a single zone by July 1, 2007, said nearly everyone involved in the bill's discussion in the State Duma. So, the ministers will hardly miss the chance to prolong the time of transition.