Russia has approved a new gambling zone in the popular ski resort region Altai Republic, expanding its land-based casino strategy. This move aligns with the state’s approach to limit casino gambling to designated areas.
Developed under an order from President Vladimir Putin, the initiative marks a step in reinforcing Russia’s geographically restricted casino model. The new legislation was backed by Russia’s Federation Council, following prior government approval.
Currently, Russia has four established gambling zones: Kaliningrad, Altai Territory, Krasnodar Territory and Primorye. A fifth zone is under development in Crimea. The Altai Republic initiative reflects Russia’s commitment to its existing framework, which confines casino and slot machine operations to specific regions while maintaining separate regulations for sports betting.
The Altai Republic gambling zone is anticipated to boost domestic tourism and attract investment, echoing the broader state-led strategy that prioritizes resort-based gambling development in selected regions. Although specifics on the development timeline remain unconfirmed, the zone’s establishment aligns with Russia’s continued focus on geographically contained casino growth.
For the gambling sector, this approval indicates sustained official support for regional resort-led projects. Meanwhile, Russia is simultaneously tightening enforcement against illegal online casinos and considering broader policy changes within other gambling sectors. This dual approach showcases Russia’s intent to balance controlled expansion with stringent regulatory measures.
The decision to expand the casino network without nationwide liberalisation underscores Russia’s long-standing preference for a regulated gambling environment. As the new Altai Republic zone takes shape, it is set to become a key part of Russia’s strategy, enhancing the appeal of sanctioned gambling regions while reinforcing the government’s commitment to its established casino model.
