Russian Gambling Ban Proves Prohibition Fails

Gambling News - January 24th, 2010 - Written By Glen

In 2009, the Kremlin went ahead with the imposition of a ban on gambling. While not a complete ban, gambling in the frosty nation had been isolated to the furthest reaches of the nation. Despite their efforts at banning gambling, many illegal gambling operations continue to move forward.

While the transition to the four legal gambling zones was one that many gambling operators were initially hesitant to take to, the shift had eventually moved forward, despite criticism from the former business owners. Col. Oleg Bolderov of the Russian police had told the BBC that they were "fighting a losing battle" to remove illegal gambling enterprises from the areas outside of the gambling zones.

According to the Col., seventy different casinos had been closed. In these casinos were 4,000 slot machines, each of which has been seized. It has also been suggested that crooked cops are becoming a problem, as an anonymous source has informed the BBC that they had been accosted by a police officer. The officer offered protection from the law - provided a $40,000 dollar tariff had been paid.

The United States has been on their own witch hunt against illegal gambling operations, most notably over the Internet. As with the prohibition of Alcohol in the early 20th century, this is a failing battle for the government. Online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms all continue to operate without any trouble. Though payment processors have been persecuted under the Wire Act, and potentially the UIGEA, the actual gambling operations have been almost completely unharmed, short a few examples. USA Online Gambling is expected to move forward and continue expansion. Meanwhile, legislators are continuing to battle for completely legal online gambling.