Russian Casinos Will Turn Into Poker Clubs

Russian ban on gambling came in effect yesterday and many Russian operators are considering re-fashioning themselves into poker clubs under a quirk of Russian law that officially recognises poker as a sport rather than a game of chance.

It is unknown for how long the Russian government will allow this legal loophole to exist, but if pursued it could save around 400 000 jobs that operators stated the gambling ban will inflict as a loss on the national economy.

Starting July 1 casinos may only operate in four remote regions of Russia, each of them at least 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from Moscow and some much further.

The gambling law is expected to have the biggest impact on Moscow, which had 524 casinos and gaming halls until the law took effect, and the northern city of Saint Petersburg, which had 109.