Russia’s most successful casino Tigre de Cristal may finally get some local competition next month in the country’s far east Primorye gaming zone. 

A few weeks ago, Konstantin Shestakov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Primorsky Territory, announced that the in-development Shambala casino project would open its doors “in July this year,” although he cautioned that the exact timing “will certainly be made by the owner.”

Dmitry Pisarenko, who was on hand to represent Shambala CJSC, the Russian firm behind the project, confirmed that construction of the Shambala casino was complete. Pisaraneko said the company was now engaged in interior detail work, and that there were “halls where the finish has already been completed.”

Russia is currently struggling to get a grip on its COVID-19 infection rate, and Pisarenko conceded that the pandemic presented some unique problems. But the bulk of the material and equipment had been secured well in advance, which, along with the region’s geographic isolation, allowed construction to continue.