The official said the centrally located Golden Palace casino, which the ministry said is controlled by the same Georgian crime bosses who own the Kristal casino shut down yesterday, was closed by the ministry's economic security department for numerous violations of gambling laws, including tax and health codes.
"The owners failed to present tax registration documents on gambling tables and slot machines, and also paperwork on tax payments for operating a gambling business," the official said. According to police, the casino operated 58 tables and 144 slot machines, making about $1 million daily.
The ministry's move came against the backdrop of tensions between Russia and Georgia over alleged spying by Russian military officers stationed in the South Caucasus nation. Russia suspended transport and mail links with Georgia Monday, and several senior Russian politicians have demanded economic sanctions and other measures against the South Caucasus country.
Moscow hinted it might suspend banking operations and money transfers between the two countries as a way of stopping illegal capital flows, which it said are ultimately used for the militarization of the region.
