Putin signs law putting restrictions on gambling business

Moscow, January 2, Interfax - President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill on the regulation of gambling business. Under the new law, casino games gambling establishments are to be located in special zones that must lie outside populated areas. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill into law December 30 that will close casinos and slot-machine halls across most of the country in a few years The law permits, however, bookmaker and pari-mutuel offices to be located outside such zones. The bill was passed by the State Duma on December 20, 2006, and approved by the Federation Council on December 27.