NASH Dom Primorye, a wholly owned corporation of the Primorsky Territory government of Russia, has issued a Request for Concepts process inviting global investors to develop integrated resorts with casino gaming components at its Integrated Entertainment Zone (IEZ).

In a statement released yesterday, Nash Dom Primorye said it was aiming to capitalise upon the significant economic growth of Asia's economies through the development of the IEZ – one of only four designated areas in Russia that will allow legalised casino gaming activity.

Located approximately 20km from Vladivostok International Airport, the IEZ is also currently the only zone with direct access to Asia. Just a two-hour flight from both Seoul (Incheon) and Tokyo (Narita), Vladivostok International Airport is also served by non-stop connections on Aeroflot and S7 Airlines to Beijing Capital and Hong Kong International Airports.

According to a report in TODAYonline, Nash Dom Primorye is planning to develop 12 casinos in total within the IEZ, with the first phase of a three-part rollout set to be unveiled in 2016, at an overall investment of around US$2 billion.

General director of Nash Dom Primorye, Marina Lomakina, said: "We believe the IEZ will create a compelling experience for Asian tourists seeking a destination that is near, but culturally different. We also believe that investors will be interested in the tourism and casino gaming potential of the IEZ."

"While casino gaming is legal in the zone, we are looking for concepts that focus on tourism development. We look forward to receiving RFC responses that capitalize upon Vladivostok's strong linkages with Asia," she added.