Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law establishing a gambling zone in the Altai Republic.
Commenting on the signing, the Chairman of the Altai Republic Government, Alexander Prokopyev, said the decision officially strengthens the region’s potential for attracting investment and tourism.
Prokopyev stated: “For the republic’s tourism industry, this step will help create a year-round cluster. We will be able to move to a year-round tourism model, reduce the economy’s dependence on weather conditions.”
“This increased resilience in the hospitality sector will have a positive effect on the labour market and the tax potential of the region.”
Earlier, Head of the Altai Republic Andrei Turchak clarified that the zone would operate only within the boundaries of the Maiminsky District.
Preliminary estimates suggest the zone could contribute RUB 300m ($3.76m) annually to the budget. Of this, RUB 210m would go to the federal budget while the region would receive RUB 115m in property tax. The project is also expected to create around 1,000 new jobs.
Russia currently has four established legal gambling zones with a fifth zone under construction in Crimea. Reports indicate that the Yalta sea passenger terminal in Crimea is in the process of demolition and redevelopment into a large entertainment complex featuring casinos and hotels.
The Association of Operators of the Entertainment and Event Tourism Industry (AIRIS) has recently reported that Russia’s gambling zones attracted 602,772 visitors in Q1 2026, a 5.5% year-on-year increase and a new record.
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