Criticism of the idea to create a gambling zone in the CMW and laws on digital economy development: gambling news digest

The idea of gambling zone creation in the Caucasian Mineral Waters comes in for criticism while entertainment resort zone Primorye is to greet a Japanese investor. These and other events are covered in our week’s digest.

Gambling zone creating in the Caucasian Mineral Waters comes in for criticism of Chairman at Public Ecological Committee

During his speech on the air of Tsargradchannel, Chairman at Public Ecological Committee of Kislovodsk Pavel Martirosov showed his negative attitude towards the creation of a gambling zone in the resort’s territory.

“I do not know who presented the idea of gambling zone creation in the Caucasian Mineral Waters, but the locals poured cold water on it. This health resort offers a relaxed atmosphere for people to have a rest and walk, drink mineral water. And here comes a gambling zone,” claimed Martirosov.

The development of resorts in the Caucasian Mineral Waters has been a discussion topic at the Ministry of Tourism of Stavropol Krai since mid-January. Currently, the idea implies the creation of a new gambling zone in the territory of the CMW.

Laws on digital economy development in Russia to come into force on October 1

Head of Financial Market Committee at the State Duma of the Russian Federation Anatoly Aksakov informed that laws on digital economy development in Russia would come into force on October 1, 2019, after their adoption. The State Duma Deputy also added that such terms were accepted by the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation.

Events and equipment for betting may be limited in Russia

On February 16, 2019, there was registered the Law ‘On Making Amendments to the Federal Law On State Regulation of the Organization and Conduct of Gambling and Modifications to Specific Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation’.

It stipulates limitations of the events to place bets on at betting shops, and totes.

It was also offered to set limits on the use of the equipment at betting shops and totes. The stipulated equipment can be utilized only by the staff of the gambling operator. The list of such equipment is being agreed upon by the Government of Russia.

Details are available in the text of the projecton the website of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

Shrinking number of betting shops in Moscow

As reported by the Department of regional security of Moscow, in 2018, the number of betting shops in the city shrank by 59. It is assumed that betting operators with a license of the Federal Tax Service and banned games started abandoning the capital market.

The Department representatives note that gambling venues are currently being actively replaced by social infrastructure objects: cafés, restaurants, stores, etc.

Entertainment resort zone Primorye is to greet a Japanese investor

Russian company Diamond Fortune along with Japanese investor Simple Create will establish Imperial casino and hotel in the territory of Primorye gambling zone. These objects are planned to be put into service by 2020.

The investor informed that the first building phase would include the establishment of a hotel and casino with 50 slots and 300 gambling tables. Besides, the project implies the creation of a restaurant with original cuisine and modern food court.

Representatives of Diamond Fortune confirmed the introduction of a casino, hotel, spa complex, and nightclub in the gambling zone. The Russia-based company plans to invest about $70 m in the first building phase.