Russia shuts out of zone casino; Malaysia carries out week of raids

police raid densRussia’s imperial march against gambling has continued with the shuttering of another “gambling den”. A number of premises operating outside of the casino zones have been shut down a new law came into force in 2009, the latest in an area that used to host casinos in Moscow. According to Russia Today the venue was inside an unmarked non-residential building with undercover police officers able to enter the “den” that was apparently impenetrable to anyone unknown to management. It’s thought to have made an estimated profit of $4million whilst it was open. Current penalty metered out by the Russian government for operating a casino: $12,000 and three years in jail. Good luck guys.

Malaysia also saw action with officials confiscating a number of computers as well as detaining as many as 47 men. Kedah Police seized 225 computer units that they estimate have a worth of RM225,000 in Kuala Muda and Koda Setar. It was part of the week long “Ops Dadu” operation consisting of raids on 28 premises suspected of flouting the law. During a news conference, Kedah CID deputy chief Supt. Nazlan Idris said: “Some cyber cafe operators continue to operate Internet gambling activities despite our raids, for example one in Pokok Sena which had been raided three times.”

He added most of those arrested were between 20 and 40 years old and have already been released on bail pending enquiries. Operators of the casino aren’t likely to get off with a simply slap on the wrists though. The maximum sentence levied on them is RM100k (US$33k) per gaming machine or five years in jail…or both.