Russia’s new Siberian gambling zone will feature casinos that will rival those in Macao, according to a leading political scientist.
The expert said it was significant that the zone in the Altai Republic is being backed by Sberbank chief Herman Gref.
Gref, a former government minister, is one of the most powerful and influential members of the Russian business community.
Sberbank has a market cap of around $92 billion and is Russia’s largest financial group.
“The decision [to create the zone] is a testament to the significant lobbying power of Gref and the Altai Governor Andrey Turchak,” the political scientist Andrey Kuznetsov told the Russian media outlet NGS 42.
“Gref will be responsible for developing the gambling zone. He will be drawing on the best international practices,” Kuznetsov added.
The expert said that judging by Sberbank’s approach to developing its resorts, the firm would not be “skimping on investment.”
“The casinos [in the new zone] will be on par with Macao, and much better than those in neighboring Altai Krai,” said Kuznetsov.
New Siberian Casino Hub
On May 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law establishing the sixth gambling zone in the Altai Republic. This law comes into effect on May 12.
Siberia is already home to the Siberian Coin gambling zone. The Kremlin has also previously approved gambling zones in Krasnodar, Primorsky Krai, Kaliningrad, and Crimea.
Advocates of the new gambling zone have been lobbying for approval since mid-October 2025.
Betting industry insiders have hit out at the plans. They say Siberia is too remote to attract most patrons and have advocated for zones closer to big cities like Moscow.
However, the Ministry of Finance says the zone is part of a regional development plan. The ministry says it will help create jobs for residents.
NGS 42 said the Sberbank-operated resort in Manzherok confirmed that the gambling zone would be built around its premises.
Manzherok is located on the Katun River, which separates the Altai Republic from the Altai Krai.
Sberbank renovated the resort in 2023. It now features a five-star hotel and all-year ski pistes. Its staff told the media outlet they could not comment on when the first casinos would open in Manzherok.
Chinese Visitors: Russian Casinos Prime Target?
Kuznetsov said that the Altai Republic people could “count on increased tourist flows from China,” as well as a “growth in domestic tourism.”
However, the expert said practical difficulties could disrupt the plans. He mentioned “electricity shortages, due to the lack of gas connections,” as well as “difficulties installing sewerage systems in areas outside city limits.”
Other experts were divided on the question of how Siberian Coin’s fortunes would be affected by the new Altai Republic gambling zone. Manzherok is around 70 kilometers from Siberian Coin.
Igor Myakishev, a real estate specialist operating in the Altai mountains region, suggested tourists would favor the newer zone.
“In terms of infrastructure, Siberian Coin is definitely inferior because its hotels are more basic,” Myakishev said. “Manzherok offers a luxury, five-star experience.”
But Eduard Kolozhvari, an Associate Professor at the Novosibirsk State University of Economics and Management’s financial department, disagreed.
Kolozhvari said most visitors to both zones would be Chinese tourists.
While some will prefer luxury accommodation, others will seek lower-cost alternatives, the academic concluded.
A Footfall Boost
Siberian Coin has seen YoY revenue growth as footfall and revenue continue to increase.
The Kremlin is continuing to mull a Ministry of Finance proposal to legalize online casinos. Industry insiders say the move would be a “breath of fresh air” for Russian businesses.
The ministry’s plan would see operators taxed at an annual rate of 30% of their profits, minus winnings payouts.
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Russia’s new Siberian gambling zone will feature casinos that will rival those in Macao, according to a leading political scientist. The expert said it was significant that the zone in the Altai Republic is being backed by Sberbank chief Herman Gref. Gref, a former government minister, is one of the most powerful and influential members
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