NORTH ASIA 14
RUSSIA
Shambala gets Primorye green light as zone expands Shambala JSC, the former operator of the Shambala Casino in the now-closed Azov City gambling zone, has received permission to conduct gambling activities in the Primorye zone.
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ccording to Russian gambling publication Bookmakers’ Rating, the permit was signed on 6 September, allowing Shambala to start carrying out gambling activities from 1 December 2019. The Shambala casino was opened in Azov City in western Russia in October 2010. Three years later the company opened another casino, Nirvana. Both of them were closed in 2018 following a decision to open a rival gambling zone in Sochi.
Asia Gaming Briefings | October 2019
Shambala attempted to contest the ruling, demanding RUB3.3 billion ($51 million) from the Russian government, but it was dismissed. In 2017, Shambala presented a project for a gambling facility in Primorye, developed by international architectural firm AEDAS, which is behind such gambling venues as The Venetian casino in Macau. The entertainment complex is expected to include a casino and a 5-star hotel with no less than 250 rooms. The construction is expected
to be carried out in two stages, the first of which involves building a casino within the two-year period. The second stage will involve the hotel and entertainment facilities. The overall investment is put at RUB 10 billion. Earlier this year, the head of the Primorye Territory tourism department said that the facility is expected to be in operation in the beginning of 2020. In a separate development, the authorities of Altai Territory have supported the construction
