Prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor General have filed an indictment with the court against five members of an organised group which the investigation links to a network of illegal gambling establishments in Kyiv. Law enforcement agencies have identified 39 premises where gambling services were already being provided or were planned to be provided. The accused include an organiser, an accomplice and three co-perpetrators.
Briefly about the main points
- The indictment against the five defendants has been submitted to the court.
- The investigation has identified 39 locations in Kyiv.
- According to the investigation, the venues were operating without licences.
- The winnings were allegedly paid out in cash via computer simulators.
- More than 70 searches were carried out as part of the investigation.
The investigation outlined the scheme, detailing the distribution of roles
According to the investigation, between July and September 2025, the group’s members acted in accordance with a single plan with a clear division of roles and operated slot machine halls without the necessary licences.
Visitors were given access to gambling using computer equipment fitted with slot machine simulators. According to the police, winnings were paid out in cash.
Law enforcement officers documented the operations of the venues and carried out searches
Law enforcement officers have identified 39 premises in Kyiv where gambling services were already being provided or were planned to be provided. The operation of illegal gambling halls has been documented at five addresses, amongst others. According to the investigation, the equipment used was not certified and was not connected to the State Online Monitoring System.
As part of the investigation, more than 70 searches were carried out at gambling establishments and at the homes of the group’s members. Investigators seized computer equipment, cash, mobile phones, draft records and other material evidence.
Depending on their respective roles, the defendants’ actions have been classified under Parts 2, 3 and 5 of Article 27, Part 3 of Article 28 and Part 2 of Article 203-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
