From July 01, 2009 almost all casinos and gambling halls in Moscow were shut down and they were to operate only in the gambling zones. 

The law was made known to the casino businesses long back; however, they never did believe that the government would make such a massive debut in to the process with so much strength.

The trouble started after the ban of casinos caused 350,000 plus casino employees losing their jobs.  Also, the construction process in the gambling zones being incomplete until now and the distance of the gambling zones tends to discourage investors to try their luck in this season of economic downturn by investing in the gambling zones.

Several gambling ventures which were initiated underworld have been seized by the government and the government is also checking the internet café’s which permit their clients to play in online casinos.

Restrictions are in the full swing; however, the casino owners are not going to stop.  They are trying to transfer their business proceeds to Italy, Germany, Serbia, Croatia and countries of South America, and the process is already on in several casino managements.

Also, Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia which are just 3 hours drive from Moscow are also being tested on for the re-launch of the business.  Several other visa-free zones for Russian citizens are being targeted for a come back and it is seen that the sudden shut down has caused the gambling clients to be tapped for revenues elsewhere.