Sunday, September 30, 2012

Batumi's casinos: The Las Vegas of the Black Sea?

Batumi's casinos: The Las Vegas of the Black Sea?
By Damien McGuinness BBC News, Batumi, Georgia

Georgia's beautiful, subtropical Black Sea coast is once again drawing tourists from far and wide, and the government hopes focusing on gambling will help pull in visitors all year round.

When you are in Batumi, it is hard to believe that this was once a corrupt and crime-ridden city, cut off from the rest of the country, and run as a personal fiefdom by a power-hungry strongman.

More:BBC News - Batumi's casinos: The Las Vegas of the Black Sea?