ShareUkraine’s security services have blocked an illegal online casino after discovering $82million in cryptocurrency transfers to Russia, with nationals from both countries involved in the unregulated site.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) released the information as the nation continues to battle against the Russian invaders, stating: “The perpetrators had a hierarchical management vertical headed by Russians.”
Ukrainian citizens in the criminal group were reportedly responsible for sourcing offices and personnel, along with advertising, and computer equipment.
The Ukrainian side of the illegal operation also authorised customers and monitored payments, while the Russian element provided management off the unnamed site.
Ten individuals – five each from Ukraine and Russia – have been charged with various offences under Ukraine’s Criminal Code, as authorities continue to crack down on illegal gambling and cross-border money transfers.
Gambling was legalised in Ukraine in 2020 after more than a decade of being outlawed following a deadly fire at a gambling hall in Dnipropetrovsk, in which nine people died.
Since President Voldymr Zelensky passed the law, more than a thousand illegal and unregulated sites have been shut down by the authorities in conjunction with KRAIL, Ukraine’s Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries.
Earlier this year a clampdown saw almost 600 sites closed down for operating without a proper licence, with KRAIL also publishing guidelines that licensed sites must follow.
Russian bookmaker 1xBet was one notable casualty after being discovered stealing data and using mirror sites to get around a ban on Russian-based businesses.
KRAIL’s boss, Olena Vodolashko, told local media recently that they are reinforcing their efforts to crack down on Russian entities in the gambling space.
She pleaded for the global gaming community to assist and once again pushed KRAIL’s message for software suppliers and others to break ties with Russian companies.
