A Russian Businessman Gives Iraq the American Dream
20th September, 2007
A Russian businessman Vitaly Kuznetzov has decided that the only thing Iraq really needs to make everything seem much better is a little entertainment. This very rich man has opened a grand casino in the northern Iraqi city of Suleimaniya.
This is after Americans built the American University of Iraq in the same Kurdish cultural capital, which raises questions if the Russian shark has been following the footsteps of US officials, as a safety measure or due to the competitive edge of such a game.
This Las Vegas type casino looks and feels very American, which could potentially be a very strong selling point of the place to the public. Vitaly Kuznetzov could be hoping for American dream idea to sell in Iraq as successfully as it was sold in former USSR countries after they separated and got rid of the communist dictatorship.
Suleimaniya is the city right on the border with Iran and has been considered one of the most liberal Kurdish cities there. Despite the extremely unstable situation in the country driven by civil conflict and religion inspired killing, Vitaly can see very good potential for such business to be profitable. “Very good customers. Just look at their cars”, he says.
According to the Russian man, security is very good in place to Mullin’s surprise. He would say that though, when all of his security guards have AK-47s behind their backs and a search room, where according to the businessman, guards can search customer s for as many hours as they wish.
Alcohol is reduced to beer only for unknown reasons, but the Russian seems happy about that too, as he pointed out the hot Iraqi weather that is most suitable for beer consumption.
The casino has all the slots machines and other equipment brought straight FROM Las Vegas and it even has a “fake McDonalds”, as Mr. Kuznetzov has called it. According to the man himself, the McDonalds Corporation knows nothing about their illegal fake relative.
Aside from the huge risks from the security side of the things, the legality of the venue and the business potential; there is always a religious issue here, as Islam strictly forbids gambling in any shape or form, which could mean that the project is doomed if no “outsiders” start coming there on a regular basis.
Nevertheless, Vitaly is absolutely confident as he said that there is no shortage in customers and everything is running smoothly. Policemen, businessmen and different other groups of people come to his casino, check their Kalashnikovs at the door and enjoy their pint by the slots machines.
Well, we shall wait and see how this project will affect Iraq in the future.
