In Bukovina, eight suspects in an illegal gambling business case will stand trial

 Based on materials from the ESBU, four members of an organized crime group and four administrators who ensured the operation of a network of illegal gambling halls in Bukovina will stand trial.

Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region completed the pretrial investigation and sent the indictments regarding the suspects to court.

The investigation established that during 2021-2023, a network of underground gambling halls operated on the territory of the Chernivtsi region. Access to games of chance in online slots was provided to visitors using computer equipment and special software without the corresponding state licenses.

The suspects clearly distributed roles among themselves. Four members of the OCG performed organizational functions: ensuring the financing of the illegal activity, renting premises and technical equipment, and coordinating the work of the gambling halls. Administrators worked directly with clients: accepting cash, providing access codes to gambling websites, and paying out winnings.

The scheme involved transferring cash to administrators in exchange for access codes to gambling websites. The funds were converted into virtual credits for betting, and winnings were paid out in cash.

The suspects legalized the income received from the illegal activity through bank accounts and used it to top up balances on online platforms, as well as to pay for goods and services. The total amount of legalized income amounts to over 4 million UAH.

During authorized searches, detectives seized computer equipment and smart TV boxes with installed software for access to gaming simulators, as well as financial and accounting documents confirming the conduct of the illegal activity.

"The liquidation of underground gambling halls is not only about closing specific establishments. We identify and block the infrastructure that ensures the operation of such a 'business.' And this is only part of the systemic countering of illegal online gambling. Together with the National Bank of Ukraine, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection, and other state bodies, the ESBU is working to ensure that illegal operators cannot continue their work simply by changing the website or creating its mirror," noted the Director of the ESBU, Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi.

The actions of the participants of the scheme are qualified under Part 2 of Article 203-2 and Part 1 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal organization or conducting of games of chance; legalization (laundering) of property obtained by criminal means).

Operational support – Department of the SSU in the Chernivtsi region and the Chernivtsi Department of the Department of Internal Security of the National Police of Ukraine.

Procedural guidance – Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court verdict.