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Ban fails to stop Russian gamblers

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Authorities in Moscow are becoming seriously concerned about the surge in Â"surrogateÂ" gambling technologies that threaten to seriously undermine the effectiveness of the near total ban installed in Russia three months ago. Russian lawmakers have outlined the rise of lottery machines and the increase in online gambling users as two particular dangers to the legislation.

It is thought that around a third of MoscowÂ's 525 casinos and slot machine halls have operated ‘lottery parloursÂ' selling instant lottery tickets and the number of internet cafes providing access to online gambling sights as tripled since July. In a news conference Moscow deputy mayor Sergei Baidakov commented "We are seriously concerned about the rise of surrogate technologies." "They are the by-product of imperfect legislation" he continued.

Russian authorities have been quick to target any illicit activity, with police seizing 33 slot machines in the last few days, and have closed 35 underground casinos since the legislation was passed according to police head Viktor Vasilyev. Russian law makers have also pledged to close any gambling loop-holes in the near future.

The crackdown on gambling began in 2006 when the Russian Government led by the then President Vladimir Putin compared the effects of the industry to ‘alcoholizationÂ' of the country. Therefore since July 1st legal gambling has been restricted to four far flung ‘special zonesÂ' that critics of the legislation say are two remote and lack the infrastructure to cope with the demands.

Since then the country has been split on the benefits of the ban. Whist critics point out the ban will negatively affect the economy as the industry provided 400,000 jobs and had a turnover of $3.6 billion in 2008 alone. The authorities however claim the overall benefits outweigh any economic down turn. "It's nil compared to the benefits to the health of the nation,Â" said deputy Mayor Baidakov.

Dan Stephens

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