The Shambala casino, in the Russian Federation’s gaming zone, has begun a soft opening in anticipation for a grand opening.
The Shambala is the second casino to open in the gaming zone, which is part of Russian Maritime Territory whose largest city is Vladivostok.
Shambala CEO Maxim Smolentsev recently conducted a tour, commenting, “There is still a lot to do. Before the big opening staff must adjust the work of all services and communications, hone the work of new personnel. in total, we employ 350 people from Primorye and other regions of Russia. It will be necessary to test the gambling equipment, as well as the bars and the restaurant area, complete the finishing of the main entrance lobby, and improve the adjacent territory to the casino building,” said Smolentsev, according to Vesti Primorye, the newspaper that covers the area.
The casino has four stories, with a main hall for gaming and events, dining, a VIP area on the ground floor. It will have 500 slot machines and 23 table games.
Smolentsev added, “Many people knew that we had been preparing for the opening almost from the beginning of summer, there were some delays due to the situation with the pandemic in the world. Although looking back, we ourselves are surprised at what we managed to build it in two years.”
Long-term plans include building a 275-room hotel within two years.
In a separate but related development Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill requiring casino operators to require identification of patrons to assist in tax collection.
Casinos are required to collect the customer’s full name, information from his passport and taxpayer ID number. It is unclear whether these provisions apply to foreign nationals playing at Russian casinos.
