Tax deductions
In 2023, members of the AIRIS association paid more than 2 billion rubles in tax contributions. The leader in this indicator was the Krasnaya Polyana gambling zone, which replenished the state treasury by 1.3 billion rubles. The second was the Far Eastern Tigre de Cristal, its figure was 513 million rubles. The third and fourth positions are occupied by Siberian Coin and Kaliningrad SOBRANIE with results of 179 and 80 million rubles. It is important to note that the gambling industry as a whole has grown in annual taxes paid by almost 10%.
Attendance
The growth of the mentioned indicators is directly related to the increase in the number of casino visitors. In 2023, 1,473,696 guests visited the four gambling zones. The detailed breakdown of gambling zones is as follows: gambling zone "Krasnaya Polyana" - 830,748 guests, "Siberian Coin" - 102,190 guests, Tigre de Cristal - 337,097 guests, SOBRANIE - 203,661 guests. Compared to last year, the increase was slightly less than 16%.
Foreign guests
At the same time, the Far Eastern gambling zone became the leader in the share of foreign visitors. In the total flow of guests to Tigre de Cristal, citizens of other countries accounted for 16%. In other gambling zones this figure is recorded in the range from 2 to 6%.
AIRIS Executive Director Dmitry Anfinogenov explained why gambling zones attract more and more tourists every year and told how much non-gaming income of Russian casinos has increased: “Everything indicates that gambling zones are successfully adhering to the chosen strategy, which implies active participation in the development of event tourism of their regions. Against the background of dynamically growing interest in domestic travel, gambling zones began to offer their guests more entertainment options, creating additional incentives to visit. Of course, a considerable part of guests come to the casino to play. However, the number of those who come to gambling zones for concerts, gastronomic dinners, sports shows, SPA treatments and even business events is steadily growing.
This is evidenced by data on income received from non-gaming business areas. Non-gambling activities brought the gambling industry 1.7 billion rubles. This is 37% more than last year. In my opinion, it is necessary to continue the process of integrating the gambling business into the Russian tourism industry. This vector of business development will allow us to further improve the tourism potential and economic microclimate in the regions where we are based.”
New projects
The Krasnaya Polyana gambling zone has announced plans to build a world-class entertainment complex. Investments will amount to about 9 billion rubles. Entertainment complex with an area of 30.7 thousand square meters. m. will appear in Krasnaya Polyana, the start of construction is scheduled for 2024. The uniqueness of the project lies in the fact that the new space will host concerts and events using cutting-edge Digital, Phygital, and Gamification technologies. Immersive shows, musicals, kinetic audiovisual shows, interactive parks, electronic music festivals, sports tournaments, an e-sports arena, a VR park, a multimedia park for children - these and other events are presented in the concept of the new entertainment complex.
Stylianos Tsifetakis, general director of the Tigre de Cristal Hotel & Resort complex, said that they plan to open a swimming pool in the Primorye gambling zone in 2024, and build a new apart-hotel in the next two years.
Stanislav Varnakov, General Director of Mantera Vostok LLC, founder of Gaming Group Primorye LLC added that in 2024 the non-gaming component in the Primorye gambling zone will develop: construction of beaches, a zoo, amusement parks for children, and a pier will begin on the territory for boats, SPA complexes, including Japanese onsen.
In the Siberian Coin gambling zone, they plan to launch a chain of restaurants and an eco-resort located next to the existing infrastructure in 2024. And in 2025, it is planned to open their own ski slopes on the territory of the gambling zone.
The Yantarnaya gambling zone will hold a large-scale gaming quiz dedicated to Immanuel Kant in 2024.