Criminal members of clandestine gambling operations in Nizhny Novgorod receive lenient prison terms with conditions
Illegal Gambling Ring Vindicated in Nizhny Novgorod
On May 28, 2025, a group of 14 individuals from the Nizhny Novgorod region were found guilty of organizing an illegal gambling operation that raked in over 64.5 million rubles. The case, which unfolded over the span of two years and eight months, revealed a complex network of underground casinos operating in residential buildings on Rojdestvenskaya and Oktyabrskaya Revolyutsii streets.
Investigative authorities uncovered the group's activities in February 2024, seizing gambling equipment during a joint operation by the Investigative Committee of Russia and the Economic Security and Anti-Corruption Directorate of the GU MVD of the Nizhny Novgorod region. The defendants were charged under Russia's Criminal Code, Article 171.2, Part 3, for illegally organizing and conducting gambling activities.
A total of 14 individuals were sentenced to either two or three years of probation, and fines ranging between 100,000 and 500,000 rubles. Although the illegal gambling venture earned a substantial profit, the sentence handed down may imply a shift in focus towards rehabilitating offenders rather than imposing harsh punishments.
Authorities have recognized the need for responsible gambling practices, with reports suggesting the introduction of a self-exclusion register for gambling activities. This system, if instituted, would allow individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling activities at registered venues. The register can be an effective tool in combating gambling addiction by limiting access to gambling opportunities.
In the wake of the Nizhny Novgorod case, it serves as a reminder that organized gambling activities persist, often hidden in plain sight. Efforts must continue to identify and prosecute these illegal ventures, while also exploring strategies to support those struggling with problem gambling.
-Reported by Alexei Chugunov
The general news of Nizhny Novgorod's illegal gambling ring trial revealed connections to casino-games in underground casinos operating on Rojdestvenskaya and Oktyabrskaya Revolyutsii streets. Despite the group's crime-and-justice charges under Russia's Criminal Code for organizing and conducting gambling activities, there is a growing focus on rehabilitation over harsh punishments, signaling a potential shift in strategy. News of a self-exclusion register for gambling activities could be an effective measure in combating gambling addiction, as reported in the general news, showing the continuing need for responsible casino-and-gambling practices.
