Detectives of the Territorial Department of the ESBU in Kyiv region stopped the illegal activity of a network of poker clubs in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa. The ESBU served 4 notices of suspicion of committing criminal offenses as part of an organized group under Part 3 Art. 28, Part 2 Art, 203-2, Part 3 Art, 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The detectives of the ESBU conducted 3 searches at the addresses of poker clubs. More than UAH 1.3 million in cash equivalent, draft accounting, calculations of cash game income from each table, etc. were seized.

In addition computer equipment, mobile phones of the suspects and 38 poker tables, playing cards and chips were seized.

The investigation established that a group of people under the guise of the "Sports Poker Club" conducted gambling - a cash poker game.

The cash game is conducted at the expense of the persons participating in the game. It has no time limits has clearly fixed, non-progressive bets that the player is obliged to make before he receives the cards and declares the authorized amount of chips. During the game the administration of the establishment deducts a commission from the players from each Pot (bank) in favor of the gambling establishment in order to receive profit from the gambling game.

Such illegal activity was covered by permits issued by a public organization related to sports poker.

During the investigation the ESBU obtained evidence of the involvement of the defendants in the criminal proceedings in illegal activities and their conduct of illegal gambling in sports poker clubs of the same network.

In July last year the detectives of the ESBU already conducted searches in the mentioned network of poker clubs. Back then they seized about UAH 4 million in cash equivalent, draft accounting books, computer equipment, bank cards, mobile phones of the suspects, 40 poker tables, etc. The seized property worth over UAH 16 million was seized.

However after the searches the suspects purchased new equipment and continued to provide illegal gambling services.

Currently the organizer and three accomplices were served a notice of suspicion.

The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings on the grounds of a criminal offense stipulated by Part 3 Art. 28, 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 the proceeds of crime committed in a particularly large scale) is being conducted by detectives of the Territorial Department of the ESBU in Kyiv region. Operational support is provided by officers of the “D” Directorate of the ESBU Department of National Statehood Protection. Procedural guidance is provided by prosecutors of the Prosecutor General's Office.