The Department of the Agency for Financial Monitoring in Shymkent stopped the activities of a criminal group that organized illegal gambling.
According to the investigation, a local resident coordinated the work of an underground online casino operating through a mobile application. The scheme used a platform for playing poker (Texas Hold'em), on which the clubs "Vendetta" and "AMG600L" were created, united into the "Nomad" network.
It was established that the clubs operated around the clock and attracted players from both Kazakhstan and abroad, including Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. To expand the audience, messengers, targeted mailings, as well as a system of bonuses and incentives were used.
Players topped up their accounts by transfers to bank accounts and received "chips" to participate in the game. Winning amounts were cashed out and transferred to users' bank cards.
The organizers' income was generated from a commission ("rake") of 3 to 5% from each gaming table. Additionally, to retain players, virtual funds were lent out.
To conceal financial flows, bank accounts of "droppers" were used, including those registered to foreign citizens. For providing accounts, they were paid a reward of 100 to 200 thousand tenge.
The total turnover on these accounts exceeded 557 million tenge.
In addition, during a search at the organizer's place of residence, a narcotic substance was seized.
A preventive measure in the form of house arrest was chosen for two suspects. The criminal case has been sent to court.
According to the AFM, gambling participants suffered significant financial losses — in some cases up to 30 million tenge.
The agency noted that the accessibility of online casinos and the lack of proper control make them especially dangerous, contributing to the involvement of young people and the formation of gambling addiction.
The Agency for Financial Monitoring warns: participation in illegal gambling is associated with high financial risks.
Photo: Freepik
