In a move to attract foreign gamblers, casino cruise ships soon may be allowed to operate between Russia’s Far East ports and Japan, Korea and China. Primorye Territory Vice Governor Andrei Tarasenko recently told investors, “Co-financing will allow you to expand your business and organize a casino on board the ship.” Diamond Fortune Holdings representative Sergei Sidorov stated, “We are ready to consider in detail the possibility of participating in the acquisition of the vessel.”
Primorye investors also announced a plan to establish a professional association of gaming companies in Russia’s Far East. Participants will include NagaCorp, G1 Entertainment and Diamond Fortune Holdings Prim.
St. Petersburg authorities also announced a casino cruise proposal, featuring gaming aboard a ferry between Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg. Kaliningrad Governor Anton Alikhanov said he was approached by St. Petersburg officials to jointly launch a ferry to sail into neutral waters and serve as a “warm-up” for passengers traveling to Kaliningrad Region, which offers one of Russia’s gambling zones. St. Petersburg officials said they plan to buy an ice-class vessel that can cruise in the winter.
The ferry link between Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg ended in 2010 due to the lack of infrastructure. However, a new port is being built near the Kaliningrad Region resort of Svetlogorsk, located near the local gambling zone. Kaliningrad Region has a special economic zone status, where investors in projects within its territory do not have to pay taxes on profits.
