Shangri La Minsk — casino in Minsk

Shangri La Minsk opened in July 2009, when Russian operators, following the ban on gambling in their homeland, moved their activity to neighbouring Belarus. The venue belongs to the British group Storm International, which has run casinos under the Shangri La and Super Slots brands since 1992. At launch the hall of around 1,500 m² offered 12 gaming tables and 70 slot machines, two bars, a restaurant and a sports bar. Over time Shangri La grew into the country's leading casino: since 2013 it has regularly been named the best in Belarus and holds the status of "Casino No. 1". The focus here is on impeccable service, live dealers, regular poker tournaments and a prestigious club atmosphere without Vegas-style ostentatious luxury. Minsk, compact and clean, with monumental Stalinist architecture, became a convenient draw for players from Russia and the CIS countries. Shangri La is a benchmark for how a classic European casino operates in a post-Soviet capital.