Illicit gambling establishments have surfaced in Norilsk, Krasnodar, and Novo Kuzneck.
Whipping out Hidden Gambling Hideouts in the Russian Federation: A Never-Ending Saga
The Russian Federation's uncovering of underground gambling establishments is more of a routine affair than a rare occurrence. The shutting down of illegal gambling dens makes regular headlines, but they keep popping up like resilient mushrooms after a storm.
Shutting Down the Underground Casino in Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai
The chilly city of Norilsk, situated in the northern part of Krasnoyarsk Krai, has recently witnessed the takedown of another secret gambling den. The mastermind behind the operation was a 34-year-old local resident who daringly transformed a dormant café in the Talnakh area into an illicit gaming haven.
Upon raiding the casino, law enforcement officials discovered a gamut of patrons busily engaged in illegal gambling activities, confirming the criminal nature of the establishment. Confiscated on-site were various gambling paraphernalia such as:
- A dozen monitors.
- A dozen system units.
- A video recorder.
- A mobile phone.
- A heap of 28,500 rubles in cash.
Casinos in Krasnodar and Novokuznetsk: Dismantled by Law Enforcement
Earlier this year, an illicit casino opened its doors on 40 Years of Victory Street, Krasnodar. The establishment's clandestine activities were exposed during a police raid held recently.
Two partners aged 41 and 43 leased the premises and set up the casino much like other organizers – by equipping it with necessary equipment, recruiting accomplices, and dividing roles among them. Police spontaneously arrived unannounced towards the end of August and seized hard drives, mobile phones, and notes related to the casino's operations, lifting the veil on the criminal activities.
A Young Novokuznetsk Resident Faces the Consequences
In February 2022, a young woman residing in Novokuznetsk rented an apartment and swiftly set up an illegal gambling den. The Investigative Committee of Kuzbass reported the incident when they conducted a routine check of the rented premises, resulting in the confiscation of gaming equipment. Owing to her cooperation with the investigation and admission of guilt, she received a lighter sentence in the form of a fine.
The Persistent Battle Against Underground Gambling
Despite the government's efforts to regulate the gambling industry in Russia, illegal gambling continues to pervade Russians' lives. Organized crime groups like the Solntsevskaya and Izmailovskaya clans are known to perpetrate illegal gambling operations among their various criminal activities. Law enforcement faces challenges in obtaining specific stats on the prevalence of illegal gambling within Russia.
Operating illegal gambling establishments carries grave consequences. These include:
- Criminal charges related to fraud, extortion, and other criminal activities associated with organized crime.
- Hefty prison sentences.
- Severe financial penalties, including confiscation of associated assets.
- International cooperation in dismantling crime networks, as evidenced by past arrests and investigations involving the Russian mafia.
While information on the prevalence of illegal gambling in Russia may be scarce, the consequences for getting involved are undoubtedly severe.
What about the casino in Krasnoyarsk Krai's Talnakh area? The 34-year-old local resident turned a dormant café into an illegal gaming haven, but law enforcement shut it down.
In Krasnodar, an underground casino was discovered on 40 Years of Victory Street, a partnership's clandestine activity, until the police raid in late August.
A young woman in Novokuznetsk rented an apartment and set up an illegal gambling den in February. She received a lighter sentence due to her cooperation and admission of guilt during the ensuing investigation.
Despite the Russian government's attempts to regulate the gambling industry, illegal gambling persists, fueled by organized crime groups like the Solntsevskaya and Izmailovskaya clans. Operating such establishments can lead to severe consequences, including prison sentences, financial penalties, asset confiscation, and international cooperation in dismantling crime networks.
