The prosecutor general’s office has divulged statistics outlining its efforts to combat illegal gambling throughout 2023 and the current period of 2024.
According to the report released in April 2024, investigations are underway regarding over 450 suspected instances of illegal gambling.
Among these, indictments have been issued against 72 individuals, including seven cases involving 68 members of criminal organizations.
Additionally, 76 criminal offenses have been recorded thus far in 2024.
In 2023 alone, the prosecutor general’s office documented 169 instances of illegal gambling, resulting in 52 indictments against 97 individuals.
Moreover, authorities seized over 7,000 pieces of equipment, including computers, and conducted approximately 500 searches during the year.
The investigative efforts extended to the scrutiny of 700 locations suspected of facilitating illegal gambling activities in 2023, leading to the suspension of operations in ten casinos.
Furthermore, charges were filed against 42 members of criminal gangs.
The prosecutor general’s office also highlighted an ongoing pre-trial investigation involving an undisclosed sanctioned legal entity allegedly engaged in illegal gambling activities.
This entity purportedly operated with the support of resources from an international operator’s office and was reportedly controlled by Russian citizens.
Presently, prosecutors are providing legal guidance regarding cases involving companies accused of running illegal online casinos.
Notably, one such case involves the legalization of funds amounting to UAH4.8 billion (£96.9m/€113.0m/$120.9m) derived from illegal online gambling.
These revelations come shortly after Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, voted to dissolve the country’s gambling regulator KRAIL.
The decision, which occurred on April 24, follows the submission of Draft Law No 9256, proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Fedorov in 2023.
The bill garnered support from 272 lawmakers and awaits a second reading and the approval of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to become law.
Additionally, the bill introduces measures aimed at further restricting gambling activities in Ukraine, including the implementation of new safeguards for individuals vulnerable to gambling addiction and a ban on gambling advertisements.