The gaming industry in Kazakhstan will be authorized in only two areas as of January 1. Kazakh media report a Security Council meeting today ruled to restrict gaming activities to the resort towns of Kapchagai, in southeastern Kazakhstan, and in the northern town of Shchuchinsk. Finance Minister Natalya Korzhova said that a law banning gaming establishments in the rest of the country is currently under consideration in parliament. She said regional governors have been instructed to offer alternative commercial activities to businessmen who are running casinos and gaming parlors in their respective areas. Authorities in neighboring Russia are considering restricting casinos and other gaming establishments to four areas. (Kazakhstan Today)