Thirty-eight Russian regions have banned all gambling activities, as the new federal law restricting gambling in the country comes into effect. The Primorye region, which is one of the four gambling zones to be left in Russia by July of 2009, has not entirely banned gambling, but has introduced far-reaching restrictions. The law, which was passed by the State Duma in December 2006, put a requirement for a casino’s minimum area to be 800 sqm.