Seizure of premises and ban on operations: ESBU shuts down illegal gambling establishments

 Leasing premises to organizers of illegal gambling establishments or failing to recognize their actual use may result in the seizure of property and the loss of use rights.

At the initiative of detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, courts are seizing equipment and premises used for illegal gambling. According to court rulings, further operation of these premises is prohibited. This deprives illegal gambling organizers of their material resources and makes it impossible for them to resume their activities.

In particular, detectives of the ESBU Main Detective Unit initiated the seizure of several premises across different districts of Kyiv where underground gambling halls were operating. The establishments were organized by a group of five individuals who masked their activities and granted access only to "vetted" clients. Following 20 authorized searches, the premises were seized with a ban on further use, and the organizer and group members were officially notified of suspicion.

The ESBU applies a similar approach in the regions. Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Odesa region exposed three networks of illegal gambling establishments. During the investigation, 33 individuals involved in their operation were identified, and their cases have been referred to court. To halt the illegal activity, the court seized 21 premises. After the legal consequences were explained, the owners of 17 properties terminated their lease agreements, making further use of the premises for gambling impossible.

The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine emphasizes that leasing premises to illegal gambling establishments or failing to address their actual use can result in the seizure of real estate and the loss of the right to use it.

Therefore, property owners should thoroughly vet tenants and monitor the intended use of their assets.

Previously, the ESBU signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the state agency PlayCity, agreeing, in particular, on joint efforts to counter illegal gambling businesses.