Russian Court to Try 37 People Accused of Running Subterranean Casino Network

A Russian court in Siberia is set to begin the trial of a suspected illegal subterranean casino kingpin and 36 of his alleged accomplices.

The Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that Maxim Cherepanov, the chief suspect, will be tried in absentia by the Central and Soviet District Courts of Krasnoyarsk.

Subterranean Casino Network Shut Down

Cherepanov has thus far evaded arrest by the police. Russia’s Investigative Committee placed him on the federal wanted list in February this year.

The court will also try 36 of Cherepanov’s suspected accomplices. Prosecutors have indicted all the defendants on charges of illegally organizing and conducting gambling facilities outside government-ordained zones.

The first court hearing is set to take place on November 20.

According to police reports, Cherepanov began his underground gambling operations in July 2022, when he rented basement units beneath branches of the Pyaterochka convenience store on Krasnoyarsk’s Alekseeva Street and Petra Podzolkova Street.

Prosecutors think Cherepanov recruited at least 38 people to help him operate the gambling dens.

They think he and his accomplices installed hidden cameras in their makeshift gambling halls to monitor their croupiers’ activities, as well as those of their patrons.

Prosecution officials believe the den held invitation-only gambling sessions, alerting patrons about upcoming events via private messaging apps.

The den operators only invited well-known patrons or their close acquaintances to take part in sessions.

Chief Suspect Remains at Large

Law enforcement officials say the casinos’ monthly revenue varied significantly. In slower months, the casinos generated 2 million rubles ($24,732) per month for their owners. But in busier times, the gambling dens’ revenues made up to 20 million rubles ($247,316), police say.

Police began to close the ring on the gang in October 2023.

Four defendants have struck pre-trial cooperation agreements with prosecution officials. Two other defendants were previously sentenced to one and a half years’ probation, with two others currently serving in the Russian Armed Forces.

Last year, the Krasnoyarsk-based media outlet ngs24 reported that several suspects were taken into custody after a series of raids. Courts issued travel restrictions to three others.

Police called on anyone with information about Cherepanov’s whereabouts to come forward. Officers said they would “guarantee” the anonymity of informants.

In May, security agents in Krasnoyarsk, Kansk, and Achinsk claimed to have dismantled a network of clandestine casinos that operated under the guise of registered bookmakers.

Under Russian law, only casinos operating in the Siberian Coin gambling zone, in the Altai Republic, can apply for operating permits.

Moscow has also green-lighted legal gambling zones in Kaliningrad, Sochi’s Krasnaya Polyana, and the outskirts of Vladivostok.