The gambling bill submitted by President Vladimir Putin in October spells
out really tough measures. The idea is moving all gambling houses of Russia
to four special zones by January 1, 2009. The zones are to be created by
July 1, 2007. Moreover, the gambling houses with assets below 600 million
rubles won’t survive at all.
But the bill is likely to be softened. The sources say once the State Duma
passes it in the first reading, the deputies will come up with certain
amendments authorizing the government to extend the transition period at its
discretion. The transition period is to take from seven to 12 years, said
Oleg Zhuravsky, president of Internet Gambling Association and National
Association of Bookmakers. Moreover, the government will have no time to
create a single zone by July 1, 2007, said nearly everyone involved in the
bill’s discussion in the State Duma. So, the ministers will hardly miss the
chance to prolong the time of transition.