Thursday, October 05, 2006

Russia will set up not more than four zones where gambling houses may run
their businesses, speaker of the State Duma lower house of the Russian
parliament Boris Gryzlov said Wednesday after a meeting between the house
factions' leaders and the Russian president earlier in the day. It is
envisioned by amendments to the law on gambling, submitted by the Russian
president to the State Duma. These areas will not be residential, Gryzlov
said. "It is planned to allocate not more than four limited territories,
where gambling business will be possible," the speaker went on to say,
"these can be two territories in the European part of Russia, one in
Siberia, and one in the Far East. At present, territories free from
residents are offered." During the meeting with the lawmakers, Putin
expressed the hope for the soonest approval of the amendments to the law on
gambling: "I'm hoping Duma lawmakers will finalize the bill and approve it
in the nearest future. It should fundamentally change the situation in this
sphere." The president noted that "police had zeroed in on a number of
entertainment and gambling centers." "It is another reason to address the
problem on the whole," the head of the state said. This, as does the
alcoholization of the population, causes serious moral and often material
damage to us," he said.