Eugene Gerden examines the potential of Belarus
Belarus is expected to become a centre of gambling in the post-Soviet space and eastern Europe in the coming years. This is due to the ever-growing volume of investment in the industry and the existing bans on gambling in Russia and Ukraine, which forced many local players to move to Belarus.
According to Yury Chebotar, co-chairman of the Belarus Gambling Association, the gambling business in Belarus is very young. It started to develop after the collapse of the USSR and the end of a series of economic and political crises in the country.
Chebotar said: “The first casino was opened in Belarus in 1992 at the Jubilee hotel in the capital Minsk, which is one of the largest hotels in the country. After this, a second casino was built in Minsk Sports Palace. Further casinos were built throughout the country.
Since that time the gambling business in Belarus has grown significantly. Currently there are more than 600 gambling venues in the country, of which 50 are casinos and 450 gaming halls. In addition, there are more than 170 bookmakers in the country. At present at least 13 foreign companies operate in the Belarus gambling industry, through the building and management of casinos and other gambling facilities in the country. The industry brings over Br43bn to the Belarusian budget each year.
Read the full article in the January issue of InterGaming
