Rashid Taymasov explains how 44.5bn RUB(810 mil Euro’s) of investment will be spent on marble, onyx, elite wood, gold and many more to develop the Yantarnaya gaming zone.

After the surprising and astonishing news about closing of Azov-City gaming zone, development of Yantarnaya became one of the hottest topics in the Eastern European gaming market. The situation is complicated and various events will take place in relation to this process. The government decided to decrease the size of the gaming zone (from 79 m sq.km. to 995.1 thousand sq.km.) and this has seriously redefined its destiny of development. Nonetheless, the new “Las Vegas” in the Kaliningrad region is extensively funded by several investments (as of September, 2014, the announced amount composed of 44.5 bn RUB). The Yantarnaya Gaming zone  will be discussed at the RGW-2015 between the 3rd and 4th of June, so the organisers at Smile Expo have decided to talk about all these issues with a man who directly influences the future development of the gaming zone.

Rashid Taymasov is the CEO of Royal Time Management, Head of the largest Russian gambling business developer Royal Time Group LLC, and a successful pioneer in establishing business in the format of gambling zones.

RGW: What are the peculiarities of gaming zone Yantarnaya? How is it different from other zones?

Rashid: Yantarnaya is not just different from other gaming zones – it’s really unique due to its location, at the beautiful Baltic Sea shore with clear beach, soft white sand, which without a doubt will attract tourists and casino players. And the future projects implemented on the territory of gaming zone would be able to offer guests great view from hotel rooms and upper level terraces. Besides, the territory has very convenient transport infrastructure. Thus, tourist can get from the Khrabrovo International Airport to Yantarnaya in just 20 minutes, the same time for Kaliningrad resident to get to the zone. Investors also take into account the existence of all necessary engineering infrastructure, which influences objects deadline and their cost.

RGW: We know that Yantarnaya project right now is being actively implemented. How the progress is going on? What kind of efforts have been the most successful for the moment?

Rashid: Speaking of construction, today the performed works concern brick laying of exterior walls and internal partitions, assembling of formwork and reinforcement of floor slab, concrete casting of columns, everything is going according to the plan. We also started tender procedure to sign new contracts for supply of finishing materials, equipment, furniture, decorations. In June we hope to sign contracts for all finishing works and materials supply.

RGW: Tell us about the architectural decision of the integrated resort?

Rashid: When creating a project, we decided to follow the context of historical traditions of German architecture, taking inspiration from the architecture of the ancient Koenigsberg. Architectural shape coincides with such style. External facades will depict the Koenigsberg charm, interiors will be flooded with warm amber colors. In materials, we bet on natural high quality items complying with the conceptual solution and functional design of rooms. Interior elements design includes natural marble, onyx, elite wood, gold, handmade woolen carpets. One of the VIP rooms will be really unique, being a reproduction of a famous “Amber room” with handmade amber panels of small and large fractions. Thus, most demanding European players will feel a luxurious and exclusive atmosphere.

RGW: There will be a 4 star hotel with 270 comfortable rooms on the territory of gaming zone. Are there some interesting peculiarities of the hotel project? And what a promenade area will look like?

Rashid: Yes, second phase of the integrated resort in gaming zone Yantarnaya includes 4 star hotel with 270 rooms. We’re planning to create a resort hotel for leisure, relax and recreation. There will be a medical spa complex, the largest spa with medical services in Kaliningrad region. It will involve nice aquatic area, gym, kinesis hall, massage rooms. Spa complex will have modern equipment with different functionality for influencing human body and its boosting, treatment and recreation. There also will be various programs lasting 7 to 14 days, for rejuvenation, weight loss etc. Complex will also include cosmetology, manual therapy, consultations of nutritionist and other world-class specialists.

RGW: We know that there will be a promenade with an entertainment park. How long will the construction last and what rides will it have?

Rashid: Common area of the integrated resort will comprise 10 hectares. So after construction of objects, we’ll have quite large territory left, which we’re planning to develop, create walking pathways and open entertainment zones. It will include central street between the first and second phases of the project, with a path to sea-shore. It will be an entertainment area with restaurant terraces, children festivals, marriage alley. And promenade will be built along the shore of gaming zone, where guests and residents of the city could take a walk and have dinner enjoying the magnificent sound of waves.

Master plan of Yantarnaya indeed includes an entertainment park close to the promenade. But, as with any city, gaming zone can not be built all at once; the project has its program created for the certain time period and prepared by one of our partners – AECOM (UK). In accordance with this program, entertainment park can be constructed efficiently when we have stable tourist flow.

RGW: Beautiful Baltic shores are another promising factor. How would you develop them?

Rashid: Beaches here are indeed unique, especially those which are close to the gaming zone. They must be saved, developed, and we think that further works should be fulfilled to protect the coast. These works will possibly be implemented with the construction of promenade.

RGW: At RGW-2015, we will discuss advanced technologies in gambling, that’s why we just have to ask: which gambling trends and innovations will be implemented in gaming zone?

Rashid: Gaming zone development program is aimed for long-time period. It’s too early to speak of certain innovations just yet, because the progress is always moving. So in eight years, we’ll probably have different technologies, e.g. of territory development. The same goes for gaming market. Speaking of the first casino, this project is the first project in Russia of such kind, involving specialists and architects who have been working on the projects in Las-Vegas and Macao. Driving on the example of Azov-City, we’ve established the reputation of innovational gambling operator. We’re often among the first to install new gaming equipment presented at G2E in London or Macao. As for innovations, casino in Kaliningrad will be no worse than our other objects, it will be even better.

RGW: On the territory of Yantarnaya, we expect to see medical SPA complex, Sky casino for VIP guests, Sky pub and other services. How will it influence the amount of visitors?

Rashid: As I mentioned earlier, each integrated resort function is being seriously developed, to consider all services and think about what a guest will be doing while relaxing here. We’re trying to make each function unique, having no analogies in Kaliningrad region. Medical spa will be a large complex located on 2000 sq.m., where people could spend the whole days perfecting their body. Analysts say that medical spa is the most popular type of spa in Europe. And we see that demand is constantly growing.

As for Sky casino, it’s located on the upper hotel floors and will be providing a first-class services to VIP clients and offer unique view at Baltic Sea. The same goes for Sky pub located on the top hotel floor under the open sky. There’s no doubt that if functioning harmoniously, all this will create a synergetic effect and attract tourists from Europe and Central Russia.

RGW: Opening of the first integrated resort object is set for the end of 2015. Share your vision of the further gaming zone development. How much visitors would you like to see in a year?

Rashid: Second year of casino operations is always considered as a stable year. We have predictions from AECOM, that say that about 300 000 people will attend the casino in the second year of operations. It will even increase to 900 000 people after we build a hotel.

RGW: Common investment for the first integrated resort in Yantarnaya will exceed 6 bn RUB. How long would you need to return the invested amount?

Rashid: Well, it’s not right to talk about the period of the whole project RoI rates, because the construction of all phases is split. If we’re talking separate objects, our experience say that each project of the company is paid off in three-four years.

RGW: We appreciate Rashid Taymasov for such interesting interview and we invite everyone who has questions left to attend the RGW-2015. This topic and lots of other vital issues of gambling industry will be discussed in details at 9th international specialized gambling and entertainment exhibition-forum Russian Gaming Week.

Read more on the RGW 2015 website!