As I’m sure you’re all aware, come July the 1st slot machine parlours and casinos in Russia will be outlawed. Gambling is officially a no go area in Russia, unless you fancying venturing to the Baltic Enclave or Siberia. These are two of the four specially designated gambling zones which, Vladimir Putin and now current Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, have announced that casino operators will have to head to, if they want to continue business.
However, no one really believed that the legislation would go ahead. It was proposed back in 2006, when Russia and Georgia were undergoing turbulent relations. Putin, and his Government, believed that Georgia pretty much ran the casino industry in Russia, and by forcing them to the furthest regions of the country, it’d be a way of punishing them. Tomorrow though, the gambling legislation goes into force, and no one is really prepared for it, least of all the casino employees, who as of tomorrow, will be unemployed.
I’m not usually one to stray into politics, but this new legislation is just bizarre. Putin originally introduced it as a way of cracking down on corruption in gambling - which is a completely fair point - however, now, with no casinos available, even in the new gambling zones, illegal and underground gambling venues will spring up - which will be more corrupt than the original casinos!
I only hope that the people who’ve lost their jobs because of this new law will be able to find work quickly, however, what with the recession on, it looks like unemployment in Russia will dramatically increase tomorrow.
Let me know your thoughts on the matter, if you can, I’d love to hear them.
Sebastian.