The Shambala Casino Resort in Russia’s Primorye Integrated Entertainment Zone (IEZ) is making significant progress on Phase 2 of its construction. According to Primorsky Krai Development Corp, the entity managing the IEZ near Vladivostok. the expansion is anticipated to reach full capacity by 2028.
Shambala has attracted significant investment since its October 2020 opening, with over RUB5.5bn (US$69.2m) injected into the project. Currently, more than 100 construction workers are active on-site daily, with a hotel tower’s 17 floors completed as part of this new phase. The development also includes the completion of both indoor and outdoor drainage systems.
Visitor numbers have increased markedly, with the first half of 2025 seeing a 20% rise compared to previous years. In 2024, the IEZ reported 763,180 visitors, highlighting the growing popularity of the region as a tourist destination.
Oleg Kozhemyako, Governor of Primorsky Krai, emphasizes the area’s appeal, saying: “Primorye is one of the most popular travel destinations in Russia. Last year, almost four million people visited the region, of which almost 450,000 were foreigners.
“The goal is to increase the number of tourist trips to the region by 2.5 times.”
Shambala is one of two gaming properties in the Primorye IEZ, alongside Tigre de Cristal, which is majority-owned by Summit Ascent Holdings, a Hong Kong-listed company under LET Group Holdings.
The competitive landscape of the IEZ showcases the zone’s potential as a premier entertainment and tourism hub in Russia’s far eastern Pacific region. As the Shambala casino resort continues to expand, it is poised to play a significant role in the region’s economic and tourism development.
