Financial Monitoring Blocks VBet and Pin-UP Accounts for Over UAH 2.8 Bln: What is Known

Financial monitoring has blocked the accounts of gambling operators VBet and Pin-UP for 30 days, which contain UAH 2.860 billion. This was reported by journalist Yevhen Plinsky in a post on Telegram, UNN reports.

According to him, 570 million UAH of VBet and 2.290 billion UAH of Pin-UP have been blocked.

The blocking took place on the basis of Part 3 of Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine "On Prevention and Counteraction to Legalization (Laundering) of Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing".

Plinsky noted that the blocking of accounts means that these market operators are suspected by law enforcement either of financial fraud or of ties to the aggressor country. But given the available information, it is likely to be both, he said.

The journalist explains that blocking financial monitoring is a kind of safeguard to prevent the withdrawal of funds from accounts in circumstances where the suspects are already aware of the investigation plans and there is no court arrest in the criminal cases.

"This is the 'golden hour' for investigators to quickly run to court and seize funds," Plinsky said.

As for the possible arrest, he said that given the realities in Ukraine, the complexity of the case and the financial capabilities of gambling market operators, anything can happen, "so the 'decided' scenario is not ruled out yet.

"As of this morning, the issue is at the level of the Prosecutor General's Office, where they are to make a decision on going to court and arresting the funds in the near future. Or not to make such a decision, which will mean the possibility of withdrawing funds from the country by the said structures, after which the financial institution will look extreme, and there will be many questions to the PGO Office and investigators," the journalist summarized.

Recall

The Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy at its meeting approved the draft law No. 9256-d "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on the Organization and Conduct of Gambling and Lotteries". It provides for the liquidation of the Commission for Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (CRGL) and strengthening of control over the gambling business.

On April 16, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedthat the National Security and Defense Council is currently preparing an issue on threats to the security of the Ukrainian state and society due to the spread of online casinos and the uncontrolled nature of this sphere.