Detectives of the Territorial Department of the ESBU in Lviv stopped the activities of underground poker clubs that disguised their work as sports poker tournaments.

It was established that the offenders were conducting cash games for real money and charging a fee from the player.

Within the framework of criminal proceedings on the fact of illegal activities in organising or conducting gambling, searches were conducted in 2 rented non-residential premises.

During the searches, detectives seized poker tables, decks of cards, chips, computer equipment, club cards, cash, draft records, documentation and other items of evidentiary value. The value of the seized items is about UAH 1.3 million.

The pre-trial investigation on the grounds of a criminal offence stipulated by Part 1 Art. 203-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal activities in organising or conducting gambling, lotteries) is being conducted by detectives of the Territorial Department of the ESBU in Lviv region with the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office in charge of the procedural supervision.