Videos circulating on Telegram show Russian law enforcement authorities conducting mass arrests as part of an operation to dismantle a network of illegal casinos. Officers detained several individuals allegedly involved in running the illicit gambling business and seized large amounts of cash.
According to media reports, a total of 16 members of the criminal group were arrested, including two suspected leaders. Later, the press service of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that the underground network, which had been operating in the Yakutia region, had been completely dismantled. The operation was carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), with support from the FSB and the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia.
These actions are part of a broader campaign by Russian authorities to crack down on illegal gambling operators.
Last month, it emerged that the Russian government is considering a full ban on online gambling, along with blocking websites of illegal operators. In addition, the authorities are planning to target cryptocurrency transactions, which are widely used to bypass existing restrictions.
Evgeny Masharov, a key member of the Russian Civic Chamber, has been charged with spearheading the latest regulatory efforts.
He stated: “The problem of illegal gambling can be solved in two ways: the first is blocking websites and applications, the second is blocking payments in cryptocurrency.”
In an interview with TASS, Masharov emphasized the threat posed by the black market, which operates without oversight or restrictions – unlike legal operators.
He stated: “Gamification has become a trend, while the simplicity and convenience of the game attract new users. The legal market of bookmakers loses to illegals, as the latter do not have requirements for identification and age verification.”
A key proposal among the new initiatives is to enhance communication and influence over the illegal market. Masharov believes the regulatory system can be “fine-tuned” through further discussions. The authorities are aiming for tough measures to suppress unlawful activity, including technological solutions for blocking and restricting cryptocurrency transactions.
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