Russia

Tigre De Cristal operator Summit Ascent Holdings said the firm’s operating expenses are currently being sustained by local mass and slots business, though growth in premium mass will depend on border policies. 

Casinos in the Primorye gambling zone have been able to enjoy three months of zero taxes in 2021 in order to alleviate the strain of low visitation.

The Primorye Territory Development Corp. said Russia's Mantera Group has signed an accord to build a $192 million integrated resort in the Russian gambling hub.

NagaCorp. has resumed construction of an 11-storey hotel and entertainment complex Naga Vladivostok in the territory of the Primorye gambling zone.

A "major Russian investor" has agreed to spend at least $142 million to build a casino and entertainment complex in the Primorye gambling zone.

Summit Ascent posted a 35% gain in 1H21 revenue as it pivoted its business to focus on the domestic Russian market to offset the impact of Covid.

The Russian authorities are continuing their campaign to tighten their grip on online gambling, including a new law which will facilitate a crackdown on payment services.

The Shambala Casino, the second to open in Russia's Primorye gaming zone, has provided an analysis of its guest profiles for its first 2.5 months of operation, saying the average check per game in 2020 had been RUB8,439 ($116).

Summit Ascent said the opening of the second phase of its Tigre de Cristal Resort in Russia's Primorye gambling zone has been pushed back by a year to 2023 due to delays caused by Covid.

In this April edition of Asia Gaming Briefings we take the pulse of how the North Asia jurisdictions of Japan, South Korea and the Russian Far East have fared.