Monday, November 06, 2006

Almost 70% of Moscow's casinos and slot machine parlors had been closed
recently Moscow deputy mayor Iosif Ordzhonikidze said at a press conference
on Thursday, the Interfax news agency reports. However, the official noted
that tax revenues of the Moscow budget from gambling have declined by just 3
percent. Over 2,000 from total 2,720 gambling houses have been closed, so
tax revenues were supposed to decline substantially Iosif Ordzhonikidze
said. According to the independent research the owner of just one slot
machine makes an average profit of $10,000 per month. Gambling business tax
returns have struck a seven billion ruble mark, roughly 260 million U.S.
Dollars.