ESBU operation shuts down underground casino, unearths illegal gambling ring in Ukraine

The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) detectives have uncovered an underground casino along with seven other gambling establishments in the Kyiv region.

ESBU raid unveils illegal gambling den

As part of their operation, the ESBU conducted raids at eight locations. Seized evidence included approximately 100 computers, poker tables, playing cards, chips, money transfer devices, documents, and UAH100,000 (£2,200/$2,700/€2,500) in cash.

According to the police, the gambling organisations took precautions to conceal their activities and only served trusted customers who contacted them by phone. Additionally, these establishments operated in violation of the curfew imposed from midnight to 5am, which was implemented due to the martial law declared after the Russian invasion last year.

Situated in Bila Tserkva, within the Kyiv Oblast, these illegal establishments were found in various locations such as residential buildings’ ground floors and kiosks.

Currently, ESBU detectives, with the support of local police forces, are conducting a pre-trial investigation. The police have charged the activities under Article 203 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which pertains to illegal activities in organising or conducting gambling and lotteries.

The recent operations conducted by the economic agency mark another milestone in their ongoing efforts. In May, they successfully uncovered a criminal conspiracy that implicated a major Ukrainian bank, its subsidiaries, and several gambling operators.

During this investigation, the ESBU accused the individuals involved in the scheme of engaging in tax evasion practices. They achieved this by establishing unlicensed gambling operations, which conveniently accepted payments through miscoded bank transactions.

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