As reported by: Mobile Register
Montgomery gambling executive Milton McGregor is among a group of American businessmen bankrolling a national lottery in Russia.

The All Russian Electronic Lottery System is projected to become the world's largest lottery.

"It's been a long time since I've been any more excited about a business project," McGregor said Friday.

McGregor is a board member of Global Trust Partners, which is financing the $300 million venture. Dr. David Thrasher, a Montgomery physician, also belongs to the board, which is chaired by Robert Sigler, a businessman with Alabama ties.

The three recently traveled to Moscow to accept medals of honor from the Russian Economic Security Council in recognition of their efforts to promote economic development between the United States and Russia.

Legalized gaming is already widespread in Russia, and McGregor said Global Trust Partners has been working on the lottery proposal for about two years. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed enabling legislation in November.

Russia is the last major European country without a national electronic lottery, according to a news release circulated by Global Trust. When fully implemented, up to 50,000 terminals will be available across the country.

The Russian lottery should start operations in November of this year or March 2006, McGregor said. "We don't want to open it in the middle of the winter," he said.


Article By: Mobile Register