Reports in Russia suggest that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has abolished the Rostov part of the Azov-City gambling zone.
Casino gambling in Russia has been restricted to a handful of gambling zones since July 1, 2009, when the government banned such activities in towns and cities.
To date, only a single casino, Casino Oracle, has been opened in the Azov City zone, which originally covered land within the Azov district, Rostov region and the Krasnodar territory. Investment elsewhere has not been forthcoming. Towards the end of last year, the zone was redrawn to replace the part located within the Rostov region with resorts on the Black Sea in what was deemed to be a more commercially viable venture.
Despite opposition from the authorities in Rostov, the Russian government confirmed last month that the zone will no longer cover the Rostov region.
