“Gambling zones are now trying to combine betting and amusement segments”

What was the show like?
There were not any mass media representatives who didn’t ask: “There is no gambling business in Russia but there is an exhibition, how can this be possible?” In fact, the situation is not like that: there are some limitations. However, there are gambling zones which take an attempt for development. There is a bookmaker business. There is a lottery. There is Internet which feels itself free and even broadcasts on central TV.

How many companies have taken part at the exhibition?
There were 45 participants. Yes, there are not so much as when gambling business blossomed, but these are the companies which haven’t left the industry and work in the legal field. The foreigners are concerned about all Russian ideas because many of them lost their money due to the gambling ban in Russia and Ukraine. And what’s more important is that they don’t understand the dimension of the market. There is only one working casino and all the others are in process of creation now. Of course, it does not have the dimention that it used to have, but they don’t want to lose such great potential market. That’s why all the largest companies have sent their representatives and showed a great interest. There were many interesting booths presented by foreign tourist companies and hotels. They make junket tours especially for Russian gamblers.

You’ve mentioned the gambling zones. What do you think about their creation?
Gambling zones are a very interesting idea. I don’t want to judge if they are good or bad, but it is really interesting. Only “Azov-City” is working at the moment. The information about “Primorye” and “Siberian coin” appears in mass media all the time but without any results.  The representatives of both zones, Azov-City and Primorye, were at our exhibition. Visitors showed a great interest, and everyone asks about the future. What will happen? We shouldn’t stay on one place. The zones understand it too. Now they are trying to combine gambling and amusement segments.

How do you value the results of the exhibition?
Participants and visitors are very pleased with the event. We succeeded in highlighting of all the gambling branches that exist now at the market.  The expo wasn’t big enough but it was full of the events, presentations, business meetings and tournaments.