Ivan Rudyy, the head of Ukraine’s Commission for Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL), has been detained by law enforcement on suspicion of aiding representatives of Russia, Ukrayinska Pravda reports.
The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Prosecutor General’s Office conducted the operation, which uncovered a significant quantity of drug-like substances in Rudyy’s possession during a search.
Rudyy is accused of failing to revoke the gambling licence of an online casino linked to Russian ownership, despite expert findings that its activities posed a national security threat. Investigations revealed that the casino’s Russian beneficiary had financially supported participants in Russia’s “special military operation” (SVO). The casino continues to operate in Russia and on Russian websites.
The institution headed by him issued and deliberately refrained from revoking the licence for a commercial entity controlled by Russian beneficiaries, thereby assisting the aggressor state.
— SBI stated.
The court has imposed custody on the casino’s beneficial owners, its director, and the owner of its trademark and domain name.
The Verkhovna Rada recently passed a law stipulating that KRAIL will be dissolved by 1 April 2025 amid scrutiny over its operations, including the issuance of gambling licences linked to Russia.
Background of Ivan Rudyy
- Rudyy was appointed KRAIL head by the Cabinet of Ministers on 28 October 2020.
- He served in eastern Ukraine during the war in 2014, where he sustained injuries. After his military service, he became secretary of the Advisory Council for War Veterans and Families of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine.
- Rudyy participated in the Invictus Gamesand captained the Ukrainian team.
- In January 2024, the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NACP) identified signs of corruption in Rudyy’s actions, accusing him of initiating disciplinary proceedings against KRAIL’s chief of staff for personal retaliation.