A month ago, Vladimir Putin introduced a bill to the Duma that would significantly complicate the life of the gambling market. The project proposes the creation of four special zones in Russia (two inside and two outside populated areas) where casinos and slot machine halls will be located. The reform is supposed to be carried out in two stages. On July 1, 2007, restrictions came into force that should promote concentration of the gambling business. For example, the net assets of the organizer of a gambling establishment must be no less than 600 million rubles, the minimum size of a casino is 800 square meters, and the size of a gaming machine hall is 100 square meters. , the minimum number of gaming tables is 15, slot machines are 45, the age limit for visitors and employees is 18 years. The project introduces a ban on the organization of gambling using information and telecommunications networks, including the Internet. The average percentage of cash winnings from slot machines should be no less than 80%. And by January 1, 2009, all gambling establishments must move to special zones. The government will determine where they will be located by a special decree.

Yesterday, deputies voted unanimously for the presidential bill. RIA Novosti quotes United Russia deputy Pavel Voronin, who said: “Whoever does not vote will be a lobbyist for the gambling business.”

“There are proposals to create a zone in the Kaliningrad region, in the south of Russia, in the Baikal region, there is no decision yet on the fourth zone,” said Yevgeny Fedorov, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy. A number of regions have already expressed a desire to host these zones (Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod , Leningrad, Kamchatka, Ivanovo, Kaliningrad and Rostov regions, Primorsky Krai and the Republic of Kalmykia).

For market participants, Moscow and St. Petersburg are preferable, as they are home to over 80% of the country's gambling clubs. The city authorities are against it. Moscow will not lay claim to any of the four gaming zones, Deputy Mayor of Moscow and head of the city commission on gambling business Iosif Ordzhonikidze stated earlier. "Moscow “We will not agree, even if we are strongly asked to do so,” he said.

Fedorov says that the adoption of the law requires amendments to a number of legislative acts. According to him, special attention should be paid to issues of control over the activities of the gambling business in preparation for the second reading; it is necessary to provide for liability of gambling organizers for violating the law. The second reading of the bill is scheduled as of December 15. Market participants say they are ready to take part in developing the necessary amendments.

There were no concessions