Detectives of the Territorial Department of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in Kyiv region stopped the illegal activity of a network of poker clubs in Kyiv and Odesa. Five searches were conducted at the addresses of the poker clubs and the actual residences of the persons involved in the criminal proceedings.

Approximately UAH 4 million in cash equivalent, draft accounting, calculations of cash game income from each table, etc. were seized. In addition the detectives of the ESBU seized computer equipment, bank cards, mobile phones of the suspects and 40 poker tables, playing cards and poker chips. The estimated total value of the seized property is over UAH 16 million.

The investigation established that a group of people under the guise of the "Sports Poker Club" conducted gambling activities, during which the administration of the establishments organized cash poker games. Such illegal activity was covered by permits issued by a public organization related to sports poker.

Cash game poker is a format in which players play against each other for real money. In this game format, players buy chips whose price corresponds to the value of real money. There is also no fixed time for the duration of the game and players can enter or leave the table at any time as long as there are seats available. This differs from tournament poker where the value of chips does not correspond to the real value of money and players compete for a prize pool.

During a cash poker game the administration of the establishment deducts a commission from players from each bet in favor of the gambling establishment in order to generate profit from gambling.

In the course of the investigation the ESBU obtained evidence of involvement in the illegal activities of the persons involved in the criminal proceedings and their conduct of illegal gambling in sports poker clubs of the same network.

The issue of serving suspicion notices to the involved persons is now being settled. Detectives are establishing the full range of persons involved in the organization and conduct of illegal activities.

The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings on the grounds of a criminal offense stipulated by Part 2 Art. 203-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal activities in organizing or conducting gambling) and Part 3 Art. 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (legalization (laundering) of proceeds from crime committed in a particularly large scale) is being conducted by detectives of the Territorial Department ESBU in Kyiv region under the operational support of the Department of National Statehood Protection of the SSU and the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor General's Office.