Russia explores Crimean gaming zone options

Russian officials are examining proposals to create a gambling zone in Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula annexed from Ukraine, according to sources quoted in Bloomsberg. Officials reportedly discussed the option with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, while Russia’s ministries of economy, finance and regional development have been given an April 15 deadline to present a plan for the gambling project with spending and revenue estimates. With the running a fiscal deficit of around $1.5bn this year, Russia is said to be exploring ways in which to make Crimea less reliant on the state budget.