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Russia Grapples with the Idea of Legalized “Gambling” Zones: Can the Black Sea Area Become the Country’s Version of Las Vegas?

Here is an interesting item that crossed my desk recently. You know, Russia has been struggling with the idea of expanding it’s gambling zones, casinos…whatever you want to call it.

Well, after some failed attempts to relocate gambling spots to designated zones, Russia is considering building a family-friendly casino resort in the more popular holiday area near the Black Sea.

Azov city is a gambler’s paradise, I am told, although I’ve never been there.

The “Oracul” resort offers all kinds of games: from the army of one-armed-bandits to poker and roulette. However, despite all its pleasures, the place remains deserted most of the time.

Why is that? From various Russian news sources I was able to find out…

“Oracul” is the only legal casino in Russia. A private company invested $10 million into its construction. Even though there are a few other investors who are willing to build gambling spots in the Azov area, most in the industry believe the odds are not in their favor.

Last year Russian lawmakers banned all casinos and gambling clubs across the country, replacing them with four specially designated development zones in Siberia, Western Russia, the South and the East.

The industry reacted immediately by shutting down the facilities, moving them abroad, or going underground. Even the relatively more successful gambling zone, in the South, is mostly being ignored by the entrepreneurs.

In cities only a few hundred kilometers away from Azov, police continue to discover illegal gambling dens every week.

The region’s authorities have suggested relocating the whole Southern gambling zone closer to the Black Sea coast as a way of attracting more punters.

Inspired by Las Vegas, the authorities also want it to offer more than just gambling.  

Whether the idea flies or not depends upon Russian authorities.

But for now, the future of Russia’s own Las Vegas looks dim, leaving more questions than answers for its supporters and skeptics alike.

Interesting, huh?