Yerevan /Mediamax/. Storm International Company and Armenian “Multi Group” Concern announced today ##the opening of Shangri La Yerevan Casino in Armenia.

Mediamax reports that, speaking at a news conference in Shangri La Yerevan Casino today, President of Storm International Michael Boettcher stated that the partnership with “Multi Group” aims at establishing a casino in Armenia, which will not only meet the highest international standards, but will exceed them.

Michael Boettcher noted that he has been working in the gaming business for a few decades and attaches special importance to the local partners. According to him, “Multi Group” Concern and its founder Gagik Tsarukian are reliable partners.

Michael Boettcher informed that the sum of investments in the reconstruction of the casino building, in equipment, interior design, as well as the operational activity made $7mln. Shangri La Yerevan is managed by “Cleopatra” Company, which is owned by Storm International and “Multi Group” on an equal footing.

The General Director of “Multi Group” Concern Sedrak Arustamian informed that the decision to cooperate with Storm International was conditioned by the high level of professionalism of the given Company. “Taking into account the rich experience and the high professionalism of our partners, we made a decision to hand the rights for managing the Shangri La Yerevan Casino to them”, Sedrak Arustamian stated.

Director of Storm International for International Development Tatiana Platonova noted that, taking upon itself the management of the casino in September of 2007, the Company carried out a complex of measures to establish in Armenia a casino, which will meet the highest international requirements. Talking about the partnership with “Multi Group”, Tatiana Platonova noted that “the integration of the two corporate cultures proceeded successfully”.

Tatiana Platonova expressed gratitude to all the local companies, which participated in the building and reconstructing the casino building, singling out the work of the designers – professors of Yerevan Academy of Fine Arts Armen Bubushian and Hayk Payaslian.

The General Manager of Shangri La Yerevan Bob Suini stressed that Storm International opened 180 new workplaces in Armenia with high salary and excellent work conditions.

The Spokesman of Storm International Lavrenti Gubin presented the “Responsible Gaming Program”, implemented by the company in Russia in 2006, which provides for, in particular, distribution of printed materials in the casino, which inform the visitors on the possible risks, special training of the staff for revealing the “problem players”.

Besides, Lavrenti Gubin stressed, the Company made a decision to establish the minimal age requirement for the visitors of its casinos at the age of 21, and the given rule will also function in Armenia.

Michael Boettcher noted that the entry fee to Shangri La Yerevan Casino will make $200, and this will become an additional barrier for the people, whose incomes do not allow them playing and, as a result, getting into unpleasant situations.

The solemn opening ceremony of Shangri La Yerevan Casino will take place on May 2.

Storm International owns 5 large casinos and entertainment complexes in Moscow – “Shangri La”, “New York”, “Jazz Town”, “Udarnik”, “Carnival”, as well as a network of 23 halls, working in Moscow and Nizhni Novgorod under Super Slots brand.