Supplier News
Russia – Azov City asks for stay of execution
By Phil - 1 March 2016
Casinos in Russia’s Azov City gambling zone could stay open until the end of 2018 following discussions with the administration of Krasnodar and the Russian Government.
Three casinos are in operation in the gambling zone; Casino Shambala, Casino Nirvana and Oracul Casino. However the State Duma signed off a bill to develop two more gambling zones in Crimea and Sochi in the summer of 2014, spelling the end of the gambling zone in Azov City. The casinos in Azov City were given a deadline of April 1, 2015 to close but some took legal action demanding that they were reimbursed for their investments which are believed to be as high as US$37.2m. At least two of the casinos have refused to shut and are still in operation.
A spokesperson for the Krasnodar Territory Property Relations Department said: “The administration of Krasnodar Territory has expressed their interest in prolonging the functioning of ‘Azov-city’ to the government. Following the discussion of this issue at the Russian government, the Ministry of Finance is tasked with submitting a draft federal law envisaging extension of its functioning until the end of 2018 and compensation to its investors in connection with its liquidation.”
In 2015 the Azov City was visited by about 500,000 people.
