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Peter Fleming, 'The Fate of Admiral Kolchak'

Russian roulette: new casino zone can 'surpass Las Vegas and even possibly Macao'

By The Siberian Times reporter

11 January 2016

Flood of Chinese gamblers bring hope for success of Primorsky region gaming development.

In their own country, Chinese are only allowed to gamble in the special administrative district of Macao - a greater distance from most Chinese population centres. Picture: Alexander Khitrov

Three months after its opening, Tigre de Cristal - the first of many casinos in the Primorsky Integrated Entertainment Zone (PIEZ) - is winning plaudits for attracting both Russian and foreign gamblers, notably those from neighbouring China.

Some 80% of its early revenue comes from China, Japan, and South Korea, while around 80% of its gamblers are Russians, according to a positive review from World Casino News headlined 'Chinese gamblers flock to Siberia's Tigre de Cristal Casino'.

Tigre-de-Cristal

Chiese gamblers in Tigre-de-Cristal

Tigre-de-Cristal

Some 80% of its early revenue comes from China, Japan, and South Korea, while around 80% of its gamblers are Russians. Pictures: Alexander Khitrov

Editor Lars Jones wrote: 'As many as eight casinos are planned for the PIEZ, which when completed is expected to rival or surpass Las Vegas and even possibly Macao - the world's two current gambling rulers.

'Already work has begun on at least three other properties in the zone - one of several set up by the government when it outlawed casinos in 2009.'

The pioneering Tigre de Cristal Casino is the result of investment by Lawrence Ho, so of Macao mogul Stanley Ho, as previously highlighted by The Siberian Times.

Tigre de Cristal

Tigre-de-Cristal

'The success of the gambling zones, beginning with Primorye and eventually including Sochi and others, will depend a lot on the government providing the right environment, infrastructure and support.' Pictures: Alexander Khitrov, Denis Vladivostoksky

'The Russian Far East is a sparsely populated region with only about 6 million people living in an area larger than the entire European Union,' stated the report. 'It is the Siberia of lore, but it is located within a two or three hour flight of hundreds of millions of potential Asian customers, as well as Russian denizens who are starved for legal gambling.

'It is the rising economy of Asia the pilot casino is really counting on for success. In their own country, Chinese are only allowed to gamble in the special administrative district of Macao - a greater distance from most Chinese population centres where the middle class is still on the rise.'

But respected World Casino News highlighted challenges for the Russian government if the gambling zone is to fulfil the dizzy predictions of success.

The first casino is 'a canary in the coal mine, guinea pig, or roaring tiger depending on your perspective. If this venture does not succeed, billions of dollars of investments in the area could be stymied or even halted'.

Grand Opeining

Tigress Crystal

Grand Opening

Even the scandal with sedated tigress on the Grand Opening in November, 2015, could not stop gamblers. Pictures: Alexander Khitrov, Alexandra Konkova

The report warned: 'The success of the gambling zones, beginning with Primorye and eventually including Sochi and others, will depend a lot on the government providing the right environment, infrastructure and support.'

The Economist newspaper, meanwhile, described the new Russian casino as 'like a black glass and steel spacecraft that has landed in the Siberian forest'. It echoed the warning about the need for support from officials, as highlighted by glitches in the launch of Tigre de Cristal.

'The launch was postponed because of bureaucratic hassles. Even with the delay, the local government failed to revamp the main road from the airport in time for the grand opening, much to the chagrin of casino staff.'

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For the Winter it would be interesting if the area also offered spa or connection with thermal waters in the Far East.

Enrique, Spain

14/01/2016 02:42

Given current economic and statecraft 'issues' in Russia, just watch how quickly Asian/Euro/US capital runs away when (NOT if) the first smell of corruption shows itself. Ivan may enjoy a крыша, but that same крыша had better not show itself to non-Russians who have developed greater street moxie in Putin's paraiso.

Jay P. Morgan, Harmon, Nova Scotia

12/01/2016 13:07

The main reason for the success of Vladivostok comes from the fact ir is a "European" city next door to Japan, China and Korea. Same way as the "European" (Portuguese) flavour from Macau was its first attraction. And Russia has an excellent diplomatic relationship with all the nations neighboring Primorsky krai.

Enrique, Spain

12/01/2016 08:04

get rid of any chair pusher who tries to get into the act, or worse does nothing.time to get rid of these old red ´Barons´who think a city or oblast is their fiefdom.

Benedikt, Moscow,Russia

11/01/2016 20:56