Gambling zone with casino will be constructed in the east of Russia

Who will benefit from developing gambling business in Russia? Who and why needs Russian casino? At first glance it seems that everyone in the country will be happy of that possibility to entertain legally. However things are not so simple. Gaming zone being built in the Far East has its oppositionists - mostly represented by residents of Vladivostok and neighborhoods.

Of course, everyone knows that in addition to being simple entertainment, the new gaming area can give a lot of jobs to people of the country. However, development of gambling can increase crime rate, and it is quite serious because there is always big money around casinos, and it’s not a secret.

Some magnates of neighboring countries, such as Lawrence Ho, successor of famous Macau Staley Ho, who already owns several casinos in China, come forth among the investors of the project. Moreover, Lawrence intends to arrange direct charter flights for wealthy Chinese citizens. Mr. Ho is going to invest over hundreds millions  of dollars in development of the project for gambling zone construction in the Far East.

The first and most important question is - for whom this whole thing is up to? For residents of Vladivostok? No likely, Primorye residents are ordinary people of the country, workers, for them such entertainment is not only too expensive, but simply out of place. And for other residents of Russia it is much more interesting to gamble in casino located, for example, in Monte Carlo and Baden-Baden, where they will get service of the highest level. For majority of former Chinese citizens who live near the gambling area being built, such entertainment is unreasonable - their area of ​​interest does not include such entertainment, because their level of prosperity is quite low.

One should not count on tourists from distant countries - because there are so many places around where you can have better rest. According to analysts and skeptics, few hotels with casinos of not very high level will not attract many tourists to this gaming zone. As a result, at this moment it is unknown who shall play in casinos of Primorsky Krai.

On the other hand, construction of a vast complex of hotels and casinos can create a lot of jobs, as it has already been mentioned. In addition, such projects will increase interest of wealthy investors in the area, which can have a positive impact on economic and even political situation of the country as a whole. This, in turn, will increase reputation of the state among other Eurasian countries.

It would be naive to say that many residents of Vladivostok will be keen to work in gambling zone. And foreign immigrants have advantage - because knowledge of foreign languages ​​, particularly Chinese, will probably be the main requirement for employees - because gaming area is designed primarily for foreign tourists.

Speaking of taxes, for owners of gaming zone Primorye the taxes are quite low - 7.5 %, while in well-known gaming areas such as Macau the tax of 30% goes to state treasury. This explains the reason why foreign investors are trying so hard to get a share of future casino income.

There is no need to remind that gaming business is gambling, and that means one cannot always be sure of the "purity" of such enterprise. Therefore, "Russian Las Vegas" after Lawrence Ho investing hundreds millions of dollars in it can attract a lot of cheaters at its best, and if we talk about extremes - stimulate growth of various types of crime on a large scale.

General Lieutenant of local police Alexander Gurov has openly stated that the new gaming area will be a place with increased activity of local "triads" - mafia who even now actively operate in the Far East. Majority of these triads originate from China, and Chinese mafia is not a fairy tale so vividly described by Hollywood in movies. If before the most Chinese were capable of was to rob citizens of the country in public transport, today developed groups have rather extensive plans.

Gurov believes that idea of development of gambling zone with casino near Vladivostok will do no good. If at first casino will operate in the zone rather peacefully, in a few decades this area will become a city of crime, where laws of the Russian Federation will be defeasible and laws of Chinese mafia will be in force.

It is worth recalling that gambling in Russia was prospering despite prohibitions. Two years ago group of people engaged in illegal gambling was arrested. The group consisted of businessmen who organized more than 20 casinos in Moscow region receiving a lot of money. And some prosecutors not only turned blind eye to it, but also covered the operations of these groups using their power. The main organizers of this business were accused of organizing illegal gambling business, and they were punished with 5 years imprisonment.

However, at the moment the convicted are not brought to justice. Prosecutor's office does not want to press charges under the article and the process is deliberately delayed. Moreover, as the law on gambling is fairly recent, and was adopted before underground casinos were organized, organizers of this business will be granted an amnesty, without any serious punishment.

Total income for the year and a half of operation is more than 770 million RUB. Most of this amount was spent on "protection" – on bribes for prosecutors. In return, officials informed organizers on raids and in case of seizure they returned confiscated equipment, and eliminated competitors.