Ukraine increases measures against unlawful gambling

Numerous bills advocated for Ukraine’s gambling legalization the previous summer: this was after the endorsement of bill 2285-D at the Verkhovna Rada and after the state’s President Volodymyr Zelensky signed it. It became the Gambling Act in Ukraine, which regulates and legalises online gambling, bookmaking and land-based gambling. As a result, at the beginning of February, Spaceiks took first place as Ukraine’s certified online gambling operator.

Today, Ukraine’s KRAIL (Commission for the regulation of Gambling and Lotteries) and SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) took more steps to stop unlawful gambling operations. The two worked together and dismantled over 30 unlawful activities this month alone.

Swoops against unlawful gambling that took place in different areas.

In the course of the swoops, the SBU discovered that the DPR (Donetsk People’s Republic) and the Luhansk People’s Republic (DPR) organizations might have obtained money from the unlawful activities. Even though Ukraine regards the LPR and the DPR as terrorist establishments it does not apply to Europe and Russia.

The SBU closed down two Ukraine casinos from the start of March and over 30 unlawful gambling operations. During the swoops, a large quantity of money, playing chips and different evidence were seized. Additionally, the SBU also seized poker tables, roulette wheels, over 600 PCs and different gambling equipment.

The swoops against unlawful gambling activities occurred at Kyiv, Donetsk, Zhytomyr and Odesa and some other areas. According to the SBU there is a likelihood of police officers taking part in the unlawful gambling scheme.