Secured the operation of 39 illegal gambling halls in Kyiv: five members of an organized group will stand trial

 Five members of an organized group who set up the operation of a network of illegal gambling establishments in the capital will stand trial. Among the accused are the organizer, an accomplice, and three co-executors. Their activities were exposed and documented by detectives of the Main Detective Unit of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine.

The investigation established that the group members operated 39 underground gambling halls using computer slot-machine simulators.

The establishments operated without the licenses required by law, mostly in residential areas of the capital. Only verified clients had access to the premises. To enter the gambling hall, visitors called the administrator in advance or used a doorbell installed near the entrance.

Once inside the gambling hall, clients deposited cash at the cash desk and received an access code to a computer gambling simulator. After activating the code, they could place bets and play for money.

ESBU detectives conducted more than 70 searches in gambling establishments, as well as at the places of residence of the organizer and other members of the group. They seized computer equipment, mobile phones, cash obtained from illegal activities, and other material evidence.

The actions of the accused are qualified depending on the role of each under Part 2, 3, and 5 of Article 27, Part 3 of Article 28, and Part 2 of Article 203-2 of the CC of Ukraine (illegal activity of organizing or conducting gambling without a corresponding license, committed as part of an organized group). The indictment against the five members of the organized group has been referred to court.

Procedural oversight—prosecutors of the Office of the Prosecutor General.

We note that according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed 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.