Detectives from the Territorial Directorate of the Bureau of Economic Security in Odesa have uncovered five more gaming halls that were part of a large network of illegal gambling establishments.
These establishments operated 24/7 without licenses on Dihtyarnaya, Novoselskogo, Mali Arnautskiy, European, and Yaroslav the Wise Avenue in Odesa.
The operators meticulously concealed their activities: access to the gaming halls was restricted to verified customers who could enter only after a phone call. Entry was monitored by a video surveillance system, and newcomers were allowed to play only after being checked against a special database.
They operated without signage or external advertising, without establishing legal entities, acquiring necessary licenses, or paying taxes, all to avoid attracting attention from regulatory authorities, placing these establishments on the ground floors of residential buildings.
During the searches, detectives seized computer equipment, cash, mobile phones, and various documents. The estimated value of the confiscated items is nearly 3 million UAH.
«The Bureau of Economic Security is systematically combating illegal gambling: since the beginning of 2025, our detectives have uncovered three large networks of underground gambling establishments, each comprising between 3 to 27 halls. To halt illegal activities, 21 premises have been seized. As a result of these actions, the owners of 17 premises terminated their lease agreements with the organizers of illegal gambling activities», stated Serhiy Muntyan, head of the Territorial Directorate of the Bureau in Odesa.
Additionally, detectives have uncovered the operations of another ten illegal gaming halls as part of the ongoing criminal investigation under Part 2 of Article 203-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (conducting gambling without a license in collusion with other parties involved in the crime, committed by a group of individuals under prior conspiracy).
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, and all individuals involved in these illegal activities are being identified.
The procedural oversight is being conducted by the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office.
Earlier, the Bureau signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the state agency PlayCity, agreeing to jointly combat illegal gambling.