Moscow Changes Gambling Rules

As reported by the Kommersant: "Moscow City Duma passed yesterday, November 23, 2005, a bill on Gambling Business Facilities in Moscow, whereby the gambling halls should be located at least 100 meters from the educational institutions and no game machines could be installed in housing dwellings, state offices, hospitals, stores or supermarkets. This move of the Moscow Duma signals redistribution of gambling business has started in Moscow with only the large players expected to survive.

"Never shelving the gambling bill, Moscow Duma's deputies passed it in the second and in the third readings Wednesday. The bill that was submitted to the Moscow Duma in summer is targeted at putting an end to the uncontrolled growth of game machines' number and at enabling municipal authorities to win back control over the Moscow gambling.

"The gambling in Russia is, first of all, the lucrative business of game machines, which is forecasted to reach $4.5 billion or 85 percent of the $5.3-billion aggregate turnover estimated for 2005…"