Volgograd region expecting smooth gambling ban
In the regional Duma press service the “Kavkazski Uzel” correspondent was informed that the ruling draft had been developed and recommended for the Duma consideration by Budget, Taxation and Finance Committee. Vladimir Popov, the chairman of the committee, headed the activities of the temporary work group analyzing gambling facilities` operations. The group was set up by the regional Duma with regards to the coming entry into effect of the federal law of 29.12.2006 “On state regulation of activities involved in gambling organization and arrangement and on amending several of the RF legislative regulations”. “It included not only deputies but also representatives of the regional executive authorities, tax service, central administration of internal affairs, and regional association of gaming business development”, emphasized the press service employees.
They said, while working, the group members requested and investigated a number of materials. According to experts` forecasts, from July 1st, 2007, the number of gambling facilities in the region will get dramatically reduced. Instead of hundreds of smaller and average gambling facilities, only 50 slot halls and 3 casinos are expected to proceed.
“By now some gaming clubs have already fallen back into the shadow, and, apparently, this trend will be developing, which will be an inevitable complication for law enforcement and tax structures` control over gaming business operations”, stated the working group members.
In their opinion, “once gambling facilities terminate their operations, possible economic consequences of it for the region can not be shrugged off: in the first quarter of 2007 the regional budget received over 107mn rubles of gambling tax. Should gambling be “legally screened off”, the regional budget will miss about 212-270mn rubles in the second half of the year, which many consider unacceptable under the circumstances of the budget deficit.
Taking these circumstances into account, the working group advocated smooth transfer to the complete ban of gaming business operations in Volgograd region by July 1st, 2009. With the view of toughening public control over gambling facilities operations, the budget committee deputies suggest arranging in May a round table discussion to analyze the gaming business state in Volgograd region.
the «Kavkazski Uzel»