Q&A – Clive Tilley

If there is any sector that demonstrates the difficulties of operating in the Russian property market, it is probably the gaming industry. Though regulated by the government, the sector is still subject to the vagaries of Russian president Vladimir Putin. In an effort to do away with the country's ubiquitous small gaming halls, a recently introduced law says all casinos currently in operation must shut down by June 2009; going forward, casinos will only be allowed in four regional locations. Clive Tilley, the British founder of international gaming management firm Tilley Entertainment, is one of the few foreigners with experience of running a casino in Russia. Here, he discusses his plans to roll out US-style hotel casino complexes in Russia, the market's reaction to the new regulations and the difficulty of finding quality real estate for his projects.