MOSCOW, February 19 (RIA Novosti) – Police said Wednesday that they shut down a clandestine gambling ring in a two-story house in northern Moscow that brought in about $1.4 million in illegal revenue to its operators.
Some 30 clients and 20 operators were detained in the raid, during which at least one operator is believed to have started a fire to destroy incriminating documents, authorities said.
Police seized 60 gambling machines, five poker tables and five roulette tables and a laptop. Some documents that survived the fire were recovered.
The casino was disguised as a well-guarded private club, equipped with armored doors. Security personnel let people inside after prior agreement with the management.
Under a law that came into force on July 1, 2009, casinos and other gaming establishments can operate only in remote, specifically designated gambling zones across Russia. Despite the ban, illegal casinos and slot machine rooms disguised as Internet and lottery clubs continue to thrive.
