Detectives from the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Security (BEB) have exposed and shut down an illegal network of gambling establishments in Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Oblast. The organizers operated without licenses and evaded taxes. Key suspects in the case have already been officially notified of suspicion.
The illegal gambling business consisted of three interactive halls set up on the ground floors of residential buildings. To avoid law enforcement scrutiny, these underground venues were carefully disguised as alternative commercial storefronts.
Gaining entry was impossible for outsiders. The casinos operated under strict secrecy, with staff admitting clients solely by prior arrangement and after a screening process.
BEB officers conducted a series of sanctioned searches at the casino locations. During the investigative actions, law enforcement seized:
Computer equipment and specialized hardware used to access online casinos;
Internal and external video surveillance systems;
Cash registers, mobile phones, and ledger books;
Cash proceeds generated from the illegal operations;
Unregistered firearms.
«The organizers of the scheme have been notified of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 203-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal organization or conduct of gambling or lotteries),» officials stated.
The pre-trial investigation is currently ongoing. Bureau of Economic Security detectives are working to identify the full circle of individuals involved in establishing and maintaining the illegal network. The applicable article carries penalties ranging from substantial fines to a ban on holding specific professional positions.