more on Russian gambling crackdown
The following article in Radio Free Europe gives further fascinating insights into the Russian gambling crackdown.
http://www.rferl. org/featuresarti cle/2006/ 10/173CA5A4- 5784-4BFC- 899A-5206CF8D070 D.html
Here are some passages from the article:
Putin pulled no punches in criticizing the country’s gambling industry.
In regaining state oversight of the gambling sector, he could take control one of the most rapidly growing and problematic sectors of the Russian economy. In addition, the Kremlin could also benefit by using the growing antigambling movement as a populist platform ahead of the 2007-08 parliamentary elections.
Following on the recent High Court industrial relations decision, the harm caused by the gambling industry and the public concern could be used by the Liberal federal government to gain popularity and at the same time tighten federal control over the states in this key economic area.
The four large federal zones, according to the bill, should be created in uninhabited and undeveloped areas.
Duma Speaker Gryzlov revealed that Vladivostok is in the running for a federal zone during a visit to the city on October 7. He said that the Far East gambling center should attract gamblers from Southeast Asia. "Our neighbors, the Japanese and Chinese, are excitable people, let them come and play here."
Meanwhile, the president of Kalmykia, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, has touted the republic’s location just hours by air from Turkey, Israel, and numerous Arab states, where gambling is prohibited.
