‘A lot of gambling house owners are trying to sell their business before July 1, 2007, while the prices are still more favourable for the sellers,’ President of Ural Gambling Industry Development Association Alexei Galaguzov said relating to the federal law on the state regulation of the gambling industry that has recently come into effect.

Mr Galaguzov confirmed that the gambling houses would only operate until July 1, 2007. The only companies that will be permitted to go on with their business after this date will be the ones with at least 600m RUR worth of assets, 50 machines, and the area of 100 square meters. As regards casinos, they must have at least 10 tables and 50 game machines.