Russian casino visits rise 7.1% as Kremlin eyes new zones

Visitor numbers at Russian casinos increased in the first half of 2026, with footfall up 7.1% year-on-year. More than 1 million Russian and overseas travellers visited casinos in the country’s official gambling zones from January to June, Russian media outlets Vedomosti and RBC reported. The figures cover the nation’s designated gambling areas rather than independent venues.

The reports also say the Kremlin is eyeing the creation of new gambling zones. That combination of rising visitor totals and government interest points to renewed attention on land-based gaming in Russia and its official zones.