www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Below is a copy of an article that appeared in Inside Costa Rica today. Apparently Costa Rica's VP thinks the HDR is a disaster. (see last paragraph) In addition the Russians are not welcome.


Russian Casino Not Welcome in Costa Rica, VP Says
The Arias government says that if the Russian casino group, Storm International BV, complies with all the current regulations it cannot be stopped from setting up shop in Costa Rica, according to the country's vice-president, Laura Chinchilla.

In an interview with the Spanish language daily, Al Día, Chinchilla said that the government is moving quickly to revise the "Reglamento de Juego" and to stop the Russian group from coming to Costa Rica, which is expected by July.

The Russians made the headlines when they decided to move shop to Costa Rica after Russia placed restrictions on casinos operating in major urban areas like Moscow. Storm International became embroiled in controversy when it announced it would set up shop in Costa Rica and refused to divulge the names of its Costa Rican partners.

The group is rumoured to be eyeing Escazú as a possible location for its mega casino operation, however, the mayor of Escazú, Marco Antonio Segura Seco, said yesterday that he had not received any request for a casino in his municipality.

Vice-president Chinchilla was adamant that the type of business proposed by the Russians is not welcome in Costa Rica. The current casinos are there because of a vacuum in the current laws and the government is making sure that casinos are part of a hotel, that is the main function of the business is a hotel and not a casino, and there will be no excuse once the new regulations are in place.

Chinchilla added that the current casinos now operating in the country will have to remain, otherwise they would have to be compensated if forced shut. The vice-president added that Costa Ricans don't want to see the country overrun by casinos and the revised regulations will strictly enforce the percentage of hotel flood space dedicated to casino activity and will be strict on how their operate.

Chinchilla added that the new regulations will be ready next week and that she hopes to have it approved after Semana Santa. The changes will be by way of a government decree, adding that if the changes were to go to the Legislative Assembly, nothing would happen.

Asked if the Russians could operate in Costa Rica, Chinchilla responded by saying "diay, sí, if they comply with the regulations", adding that she did not know at what stage the Russians are at in their plans.

Michael Boettcher is the man behind the Russian move into Costa Rica and as asked to meet with government officials to discuss his plans and offered his assistance to the government to create the new regulations.

"No, no, no, muchas gracias", said, Chinchilla, adding that the government has already defined the new regulations regarding casinos.

Chinchilla said that she is well informed so as to know what is good for the country and believes the Russians committed a grave error in saying that they were coming to Costa Rica because in Russia the activity will now be regulated. The message they sent to the world is that "come to Costa Rica because there is no regulation", said Chinchilla who is adamant to avoid that.

Asked if some casinos look more like a brothel that a casino, Chinchilla answered "claro, que si", saying that a number of hotels, specifically one downtown location, though not mentioning the name of the hotel, where it is more a brothel, full of prostitutes, calling it a disaster and a shame.

Well, at least they are on to the Russians and realize the danger of giving them a foothold. It does not seem clear that they can stop the Russians or make or regulate them out of their plans.

"a disaster and a shame" isn't what most on here would call the DR. It's spoken like a true feminist which is what Ms. Chinchilla sounds like. (great name for her...Chinchilla) Well we out number her 13,000 to 1. One thing that these Russians have correct is the lack of regulation of casinos in CR. Do you know that if you think you are cheated,unlike Vegas and Atlantic City there is no one to complain to? In the States the casinos are governed by a State Casino commission which is always there to at least listen to you.There is no such thing in CR.

Now let me refer you back to another thread where some of our members were having wet dreams about the casino owners bringing $50 gorgeous Russian hookers for our dining and dancing pleasure. These incredible creatures were going to teach the cien Colombianas a thing or two about price and service. hahahaha As I said before "no way". It now seems the casino peoplle are going to have enough problems getting a deck of cards into CR let alone a bevy of inexpensive beauties.

I wonder if the results from our, "so I took back $20.00 from her purse", member would have been different if she were a Russian.

One of the things that I always admired about Russia is that external terrorists do not screw with them. Their answer would be to the captives, "Comrade, you are going to die bravely for the cause". They would have then taken care of the situation immediately, even if their action caused the death of all involved.

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It's not the size of the wand that put the rabbit in the hat, it's the magic in it!!!

Yeah - for some reason, and I can't back this up with any real evidence or personal experience, the Russians seem to be a bad-assed, hare-core lot of folks. The Soviet Union may have collapsed, but Russia is on their way back. I would not want to see them in CR for no reason other than I don't think it would be wise to Phuck with them.

Let's see - Russians running casinos with little to no regulation....SCARY

Russia has a very substantial terrorist problem along with a civil war in Chechnya. The fact that they are willing to let innocent civilians die without a second thought isn't my idea of admirable. I know a few Russians and most agree the country has gone downhill since the end of Communism. They have pretty much replaced the old commissars with organized crime types. A look at the current elections will show how false the promise of 'democracy' was. I, for one, hope the Russian Mafia(s) can be kept far away from Costa Rica. We have enough violence and corruption already.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

Why are they so quick to stereotype that the Russian-MOB is moving in?

They probably are, but it's still incorrect to assume that.

Yeah - I was thinking about that same incident. For a long time I have wondered if that sort of resolve is the way to be....basically just don't give into demands....let the good of the many trump the safety of the few. I think the Chinese have somewhat the same attitude....and it is hard for westerners to understand that....as we have been a people who stand up for individual liberty, rights, etc. This seems to be absent in Russian lines of thinking.

I take no offense to your post about my post. I think we in the USA just don't understand how these other cultures operate. I have been doing my small part - drinking straight vodka as much as possible - in attempt to better understand this other culture.

Well put

It sounds to me like some in the government would like to get rid of places like the Del Rey, forgetting how much revenue such places bring into the country.

I'll be their tourist revenue would be cut in half if they were to get rid of the casinos, putas, and other establishments (not that they could really control it, but if they actually managed to do it).

Seems to me they are just trying to limit the thing getting out of hand. It's one thing for otherwise honest Americans to run a business like the HDR but were I them I would think it's entirely another to have Russians with a foothold. "But TF, how can you be so presumptuous about Russians....." Last year in Russia something like 95% of all the income was earned by like 1000 people or some astonishing percentage. They do not want organized Russian money in their country. They don't need it.

[quote="Vegas Bob"]" Now let me refer you back to another thread where some of our members were having wet dreams about the casino owners bringing $50 gorgeous Russian hookers for our dining and dancing pleasure. These incredible creatures were going to teach the cien Colombianas a thing or two about price and service. hahahaha [quote]
VB, I am looking forward to having a drink with you and chatting up these Russian beauties, and then going out dancing and dining and enjoying them. BTW, the VP didn't say they won't be allowed in just that they are making moves to stop them. It seems as if they are far enough along in their app. process, there is nothing the CR gov. can do. It seems they should have kept their plans on the DL (downlow).

As far as if they should be here, who knows, I have heard they are already in CR. Also, I have always wondered if underworld elements control activity down there. Me, I'm just there for the cubans and chicas.

PURA VIDA!

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Livin' & Lovin' in Key Largo....oh....And the one in The Keys, too!