Russian parliament seeks gambling zones

MOSCOW, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Russia's upper parliamentary house voted to clamp down on gambling and create a series of gambling zones in the country and license operators.

The bill passed through the Federation Council after being proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Novosti news agency reported Wednesday. If signed into law, it would take effect July 1, 2009, and impose a minimum age of 18 for gamblers in four zones.

It also stipulates owners of gambling facilities must be Russian companies that were not been created by the government or local authorities and who have minimum assets of about $22.4 million, the report said.

The bill outlaws Internet-based gambling and bans gaming outlets or slot machines in apartment buildings, street kiosks, childcare centers, educational or healthcare institutions, railway terminals, airports, seaports, public transport, passenger lounges and waiting areas, sports facilities, state and government agencies or religious organizations.

The four proposed gambling zones are in southwest Siberia, the Far East region of Primorye, the Kaliningrad region on the Baltic Sea and in the Rostov-Krasnodar region in southern Russia.