The GBR has confirmed the arrest of the KRAIL director and revealed details of the case.
The State Bureau of Investigations has detained the head of the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL), Ivan Rudoy. He is suspected of aiding a state aggressor and illegal possession of large quantities of narcotics.
This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the press service of the SBI.
Specifically, it concerns support for the operations of online casinos in Ukraine, owned by Russian nationals. According to sources from RBK-Ukraine, this includes Pin-Up.
Law enforcement has established that the institution headed by the suspect issued and, under his instructions, deliberately did not revoke the license for online gambling for a commercial entity, whose beneficial owner is Russian, and whose representatives aided the state aggressor.
"Decisions were not made despite numerous expert assessments confirming that the activities of the online casino pose a threat to national security. In particular, data from Ukrainian military personnel who were clients of the casino could easily fall into the hands of Russians," noted the SBI.
During the investigation, the SBI found that an individual directly overseeing the online casino's operations was financing veterans of the so-called "SVO" after the start of the full-scale invasion. The online casino itself continues to operate within Russia and on Russian web resources.
Photo: The head of KRAIL, Ivan Rudoy, was detained by law enforcement (t.me/DBRgovua)
The court has chosen a preventive measure in the form of detention for the beneficial owners of the mentioned online casino, as well as for its director and the owner of the trademark and domain name. They have been informed of suspicions under the article of aiding a state aggressor (art. 111-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The SBI also reported that it is taking measures to recover the arrested funds transferred to the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) for the benefit of Ukraine.
Law enforcement reminds that the court has already granted a request to transfer over 2.6 billion hryvnias, which were arrested in the accounts of the online casino linked to Russian representatives, to ARMA.
Additionally, the Bureau reported that during searches at the head of KRAIL, a large quantity of narcotics—cocaine—was found and seized.
Currently, the issue of notifying the head of KRAIL of suspicions regarding aiding a state aggressor and illegal possession of narcotics in large quantities without the intent to sell (part 1 of art. 111-2, part 2 of art. 309 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) is being resolved, along with the selection of a preventive measure.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
Recall that in April of this year, President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted a decision by the National Security and Defense Council that restricted the activities of online casinos in Ukraine.
Furthermore, in the spring, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a draft law in the first reading aimed at liquidating the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries and enhancing control over the gambling business.
It is expected that a new body will be established by April 1, 2025, to replace KRAIL, and it will be determined which ministry will formulate policy in the gambling and lottery sectors.