Russian authorities are continuing their crackdown on illegal gambling and casino operations in Moscow, which is being attributed to an increasing presence of the Georgian mafia. The problem has been steadily growing as tensions between Russia and Georgia continue to rise, although the source of the conflict is seeded much deeper than that of gambling affairs. Following the arrests of three Russian servicemen in Georgia last week who were charged with spying (they were released on Monday earlier this week), Russian is now turning up the heat against Georgia.

In addition to shutting down several restaurants and four casinos which were suspected of being run by the Georgia mafia, Russia cut all transportation and postal ties with Georgia and deported 180 Georgians, claiming there were irregularities in their paperwork. Russian President, Vladimir Putin threatened to cease money transfers with Georgia and called for the Russian government to enforce stricter immigration laws.

What is being called an "espionage" scandal, Russia says the Georgian mafia has infiltrated the school system, which is precisely where Russian investigators went to find answers about mafia activities. The deportations and gambling crackdown were part of a wide scale operation conducted by Moscow Police.

Officials have reported the closing of four casinos having ties with or being operated by the Georgian mafia, which include the Golden Palace Casino (not associated with the online casino), Kristal and Golden Palace Weekend. Tax code violations were being incurred by all of the establishments, which investigators say was being veiled with money laundering used to fund military affairs in Georgia. A fourth casino, the Sol, is currently being investigated, which police also say is likely to have ties with Georgian gangs and criminal activity.