Primorye preference in Russia

Governor Sergei Darkin of Russia’s Primorye region is in favor of locating the Far East-designated gambling zone on Russkiy Island, just across the bay from the port of Vladivostok, a city of 650,000. This would replace the Muravyinaya Bay site, situated northeast of the city, originally announced at the end of 2006.

In a separate action, Russkiy Island, a massive fortress that once was home to Russia’s Pacific fleet, will benefit from a portion of the 100 billion rubles-about $4.2 billion-in development funds that will be spent as the region prepares to host the 2012 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference. Aside from construction of the road net on the island itself, improvements will include work on the road between Vladivostok and the airport, new bridge and highway construction in the area and various water and sewage treatment projects. Other elements include construction of a medical center and a theater for opera and ballet performances.

Governor Darkin told journalists he is not a fan of gambling, but supports the Russkiy Island location anyway.

According to the Vladivostok Times, Darkin believes that the Muravyinaya Bay site “does not meet the necessary requirements” for the new gambling zone in the Primorye region. The Russkiy Island site is reportedly being reviewed by authorities in Moscow.

Said Darkin, “The modern gambling business is not just casinos and roulette. It is a highly developed infrastructure of entertainment, including family entertainment. These are very diverse leisure services: theaters, galleries, restaurants, water fun parks, theme parks and circuses. The gambling zone in Primorye will become an ‘anchor’ that will allow Primorye to attract investment into this business.”