Saint Petersburg deputies would not move casinos out of residential buildings
Today the Parliament have declined amendments to the law “On placing gambling facilities within Saint Petersburg”, introduced by the municipal council of “Krasnoye Selo” municipal district. The amendments proposed by the municipals last year, would ban placing any types of gambling facilities on ground floors of residential buildings and close to children institutions.
Although the Legislation Assembly Committee on industry, economics and property had recommended to pass the bill, the document was declined by the majority of votes, The Parliament members decided that the “gambling” issue had already been well regulated.
Let us remind you that this year the deputies have adopted a set of amendments to the law “On placing gambling facilities…” proposed by Smolny. In particular, slot halls were evicted from blocks of flats, and from January 1st, 2008, their operations will be completely banned in the city. It has been decided not to interfere with casino operations till the middle of 2009 – since which time the entire gaming business in the country will have to relocate to the four gaming zones.
According to Chairman of Legislative Assembly Committee on industry, economics and property Alexander Olkhovski, the local legislation regulates issues of placing slot halls but not casinos and bookmakers` offices. This omission could have been corrected, but the deputies decided not to do it.
Bn.ru