Detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed and stopped the activities of an underground casino and 7 gambling establishments in Kyiv region.

Gambling halls were located in different premises - residential buildings on the ground floors, kiosks, etc. They concealed their activities and opened for trusted customers by phone. The provision of services by these establishments took place in violation of the curfew.

Mployees of the ESBU conducted searches at 8 addresses during which they seized about 100 sets of computer equipment, tables for playing poker, playing cards and chips, devices for transferring money, documents and drafts, and cash in the amount of UAH 100,000 . This property was used in illegal activities it was added to the evidence base.

The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings on the grounds of a criminal offense under Art. 203 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal activities in organizing or conducting gambling, lotteries) is carried out by detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine with operational support from the Kyiv regional department of the Internal security department of the National Police of Ukraine under the procedural guidance of prosecutors of the Prosecutor General's office.

For reference. In July 2020, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the relevant Law "On State regulation of activities related to the organization and conduct of gambling" to regulate gambling in Ukraine. With this decision, parliamentarians authorized the operation of offline and online casinos, online poker, betting, and slot machines. The law allows slot machine halls to be located only in three- to five-star hotels and casinos in four- to five-star hotels. The permitted age of a gambler is 21 years and older.