Going Underground….
The revolt has started in Russia. Less than one week after citizens were stripped of their rights to gamble, many are turning to other countries or underground operations to get their gambling fix. It has been reported that there has been an increase in viewership of televised poker since the ban took effect on last Wednesday.
Casinos in other countries are courting the high rollers left behind in Russia as well. Les Ambassadeurs Club in London is offering an incentive package for high rollers who have nowhere left to gamble. For $8,000, a gambler can have a private jet waiting for them at Moscow airport which will fly them to London. Then, they will receive limousine service to the casino, where they will be free to gamble as they wish. “In our country, unfortunately in the years of our new life, a huge quantity of gambling establishments were created where people spent hours frittering away their money,” said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in his first statement since the gambling ban, “This kind of addiction is very similar to drug dependence, and our task today is to create modern conditions so that such a business can only exist in restricted gaming zones.”
Law enforcement agencies have been busy at work this past week attempting to ensure that any underground casino gambling operation is snuffed out. On Saturday, eighteen slot machines were removed during a raid at the Luzhniki market (yes, a whole 18!!!).
Meanwhile in Ukraine - despite the ban Premier Palace is still open amongst others… as usual its all a question of money