Underground casino in Odesa: business without taxes and licences

An illegal network of gaming establishments operating without licences or tax payments has been exposed in Odesa. Detectives from the Bureau of Economic Security (BES) have notified eight suspects of their involvement in organising the illicit business.

The shadow scheme and its organisers

The underground casino was headed by a 29-year-old local resident who assembled a team of 20 people. According to the investigation, he received instructions from so-called "curators", whose identities are currently being established.

To avoid attracting the attention of law enforcement, the gaming halls were located in residential buildings and commercial premises without signage or advertising. However, the establishments operated around the clock, attracting clients through internal communication channels.

Results of the special operation

During searches, BES officers seized:

• More than 5,000 units of computer equipment used to organise gambling games;
• Large sums of cash, mobile phones and "black" accounting records;
• Evidence of the absence of licences and tax payments.