Russia has banned all forms of gambling nationwide and has ordered casinos to shut down threatening to cut about 300,000 jobs.

The ban claims to protect the health of society. But the ban may be more closely related to the poor relations Russia has with Georgia.  The Georgians are thought to run many Russian gaming halls.

Then Russian president now Prime Minister Vladimir Putin came up with the idea back in 2006. Casino operators were aware of the impending ban but did not act immediately think that the Russian would not push the ban through.

The Russian government plans to restrict gambling to investment deficient zones similar Las-Vegas-style gaming zones. Those zones still lay empty and critics are saying the zone will never work.