Putin Legalizes Gambling In Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that allows gambling zones to be established in the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in March.

A report on the Kremlin's website on July 23 says Crimea was added to four other Russian regions where gambling had been legally allowed.

The new law says Crimean officials will decide where the gambling zones on the peninsula will be located.

The Moscow-backed acting head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said on July 23 the gambling zone will most likely comprise the city of Yalta and several areas around it.

Aksyonov added there is no rush in setting up gambling zones, saying it is "not a priority."

Gambling is currently legal in Russia only in some parts of Krasnodar Krai, Primorye Krai, Altai Krai, and the Kaliningrad Oblast.



Based on reporting by vedomosti.ru, Interfax, and ITAR-TASS