"Are we going to move? Of course we are not," Konstantin Kopylov, the owner of the Kristall casino told the RIA-Novosti newswire. "You cannot run a business on someone's wish. Business is run in the areas where a profit can be made."
Given that most never thought the shutdown would come to pass, ground has barely been broken in these zones, and the massive investment they will require to become gambling destinations means it will be years before the casinos reopen, if ever.
What is more likely, experts say, is that gambling will simply be driven underground, thereby increasing the very criminality that the closures claimed to address. Many players will turn to the Internet and to other countries, if not to illegal gambling.
Some psychiatrists say they expect to see a spike in gambling addicts coming to them for help.
Casino officials say there is interest from other businesses in acquiring the coveted real estate previously occupied by the casinos.
Still, gambling has long been frowned upon in Russia and many won't be sad to see it exiled.
"Let them close. For that matter, get them out of Russia altogether," Galina Beleznikova told The Associated Press.
ABC News' Tanya Stukalova contributed to this story, as did The Associated Press.
Do you have more information about this topic? If so, please click here to contact the editors of ABC News.
