Based on materials from the ESBU, four administrators of a network of illegal gambling halls in Odesa will be tried

 Detectives from the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Odesa region have completed the pre-trial investigation regarding four individuals who were responsible for the operation of illegal gambling establishments in Odesa.

 During the pre-trial investigation, detectives established that the operation of the halls was coordinated by two organizers. They involved young people aged 18 to 35 in the work, who took bets, assisted clients, and effectively conducted the gambling activities. The money received was transferred by the administrators to special bank accounts.

The illegal gambling establishments operated on Academician Filatov Street and Yaroslav Mudryi Avenue. Access to the halls was restricted to only "verified" clients from a special database. The administrators informed them about promotions and bonuses, helped them top up their accounts, log into gaming systems, and choose the type of gambling game.

During the searches, detectives seized cash, mobile phones, draft documentation, and over 5,000 units of computer equipment.

Furthermore, four warehouse premises were discovered where the defendants were storing technical equipment and furniture intended for setting up new gambling halls. The total value of the seized assets amounts to over UAH 61 million.

To ensure the compensation of damages caused by the criminal offense, the seized property has been arrested by the court.

The defendants were served with suspicion notices for committing criminal offenses under Part 2 of Article 209 (Legalization (laundering) of criminally obtained proceeds) and Part 2 of Article 203-2 (Illegal activity in the organization or conduct of gambling or lotteries) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The case has been sent to court.

Operational support was provided by the officers of the SSU Directorate in the Odesa region. Procedural guidance is being carried out by the prosecutors of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office.