In Lviv, the organizers of a poker club were fined 2.7 million hryvnias

In Lviv, the organizers of a poker club were fined 2.7 million hryvnias

The Halytskyi District Court of Lviv found Oleksiy K., Iryna S., Borys H., and Oleksandr H. guilty of organizing an illegal poker club. Each defendant was fined 680,000 UAH and banned from engaging in gambling organization for three years.

This is stated in the verdict published on January 3rd in the Unified State Register.

Illegal Private Poker Club

According to the verdict, the defendants organized the illegal private poker club “Freezeout Club” on Stavropihiyska Street, in the center of Lviv, in March 2023. Only vetted players could access the gaming room. The entrance to the establishment was controlled using a video surveillance system. The organizers received illegal profits in the form of rake fees—a commission dependent on the number of card deals and bets at the gaming tables. They were exposed in the fall of 2023 after searches during which gaming chips, containers for them, cards, mobile phones, computer equipment, and draft records confirming illegal activities were seized.

One of the defendants was directly responsible for organizational and managerial functions and the actions of all poker club participants. Two accomplices acted as dealers during poker games, and the fourth was an accomplice who registered a legal entity to cover the business. All organizers pleaded guilty.

Therefore, the court decided to impose a fine of 680,000 UAH on each and banned them from organizing gambling for three years. Additionally, each defendant has to pay 22,000 UAH in court costs. The verdict can be appealed.