In a huge blow to the Russian gaming market, President Vladimir Putin has proposed a bill restricting the gambling business in Russia to four sparsely populated territories - two in the European part of Russia, another in Siberia, and the other in Russia's Far East.
"The approach will change fundamentally," Duma speaker Boris Gryzlov said."These areas are uninhabited. At present, only territories free from residents are offered," he was quoted as saying.
According to reports, Putin wants to rush through the proposed amendments to the law on gambling. "I’m hoping Duma lawmakers will finalise the bill and approve it in the nearest future," he said. "It should fundamentally change the situation in this sphere."
Putin is apparently concerned about ‘the alcoholisation of the population, [and the] serious moral and often material damage’ gambling can inflict on Russians.
Russian authorities shut down Moscow’s two largest casinos - the Golden Palace and the Crystal - last week, for licensing violations.
