Russians Without Roulette

The Russian government is closing down casinos across the nation as of July 1st. The law, which was the initiative of former President Vladimir Putin, will confine gambling to only four regions throughout the country – all designated in rural areas. Newsy.com analyses the impact it will have on one of the most profitable businesses in Russia, through a variety of media perspectives.

First, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty looks back in time to tell us why the law was passed.

“…slot machines began to appear in the strangest spots, such as in underpasses and youth centers. Most strikingly, you could see slots right on the street, making the sight of people feeding money into the machines near bus stops commonplace.”

However, fast-forwarding to the present, Russia Today looks at the immediate effect the ban has on the nation and its people.

“Four hundred thousand people will lose their jobs with this law coming into force. … Russia’s budget will also lose one billion dollar a year in tax revenues.”

Similarly, CNN’s correspondent in Moscow looks at the issue from economic perspective, looking at Russia’s plan to designate gambling zones in rural areas.

“The idea is to move casinos out of town, … removing casinos from the cities and bringing investment to neglected regions in the provinces. Sounds like a reasonable idea. It certainly worked in Las Vegas after all. The problem is, though, none of Russian casino cities have ever been built.”

Even an article on state-owned RIA Novosti casts doubt on the move to rural areas, bringing in a view from a Moscow casino chain spokesman:

“Nobody feels like moving there, besides there is no infrastructure in those special zones...”

Finally, The St. Petersburg Times shares with us some of the solutions casino owners have come up with, so that they don’t have to leave.

“[Casinos] are disguising their premises as lottery centers. … Some businessmen are using this lack of legal clarity to their short-term advantage, classifying slot-machines and other facilities as lottery systems.”

So do you think the casino ban will harm Russia’s economy or it will benefit the country in the long run?