Dmitry Medvedev the Russian president gets tougher on gambling

Dmitry Medvedev told federal tax service chief Mikhail Mokretsov that he would not put up with any delays in moving all gambling operations to specific regional zones in two months.  “It is imperative that these rules go into effect in due time. There will be no revisions, no pushing back despite the lobbying efforts of various businesses,” Medvedev commented at the meeting at his Gorki residence.  Medvedev said that it is no secret that gambling pays large taxes and kickbacks so bureaucrats are interested in leaving it in Moscow.  “If the lobby wins in delaying the deadline, it will essentially mean that the state’s word means nothing, so it’s important for Medvedev, who is trying to show he is a serious politician,” said Dmitry Oreshkin an analyst with the Mercator think tank.