Eight face trial for running illegal casinos in Magadan and Irkutsk
Eight residents of Magadan now face criminal charges for running illegal gambling operations across two cities. Authorities have approved indictments after uncovering a network of casinos linked to a premeditated group. The case will soon go to trial in the Magadan District Court. The scheme began in August 2024 when a young man with a prior gambling-related conviction recruited an accomplice. Together, they set up a casino in Magadan, complete with internet-connected gaming machines and a surveillance system. Two cashier-administrators were hired to manage daily operations.
By March 2025, the group had relocated and brought in an additional manager. Even after the original organisers left, new staff kept the Magadan venue running until August 2025. Meanwhile, four members split off to launch a separate casino in Irkutsk, which operated until late June 2025.
Regional police and the National Guard eventually shut down both locations. Investigators found evidence of organised criminal activity, leading to charges under Parts 2 and 3 of Article 171.2 of Russia’s Criminal Code. The defendants now await trial on accusations of operating illegal gambling as part of a coordinated criminal ring. If convicted, they could face penalties under Russia’s strict anti-gambling laws. The court proceedings will determine the final outcome of the case.
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