According to several reports in the Russian press, the government in the country plans to take over the development of casinos in the Primorye designated gaming district.

Russia acts in Primorye

This includes the city of Vladivostok, says the news agency TASS.

It quotes the deputy prime minister for the far eastern district, Yuri Trutnev, saying that the government will manage two of the four casino contracts so far issued. Summit Ascent from Hong Kong is the only one of the four to have completed its contract and opened a casino.

Another, NagaCorp, has put back the construction of its location but has indicated that it is now ready to get on with the work.

It appears that Melco has been delaying its contract for a casino, although the hotel element has been built. Several weeks ago the government withdrew the contract for Royal Time Primorye for a casino resort.

A total of eight casinos are projected in Primorye, which is geographically closer to Beijing across the Chinese border, than Macau.