Online casino operating under the cover of a film studio

Online casino under cover: how a "film studio" attempts to blame the police for damage

A new scandal is unfolding in Ukraine: the company “ORIGINAL SPIRIT UA”, which calls itself a film studio, is accusing law enforcement officers of causing damage during searches and is demanding protection. However, the situation is not as straightforward as it seems.

Film studio or illegal casino?

According to police data, this is not about content production at all, but about a large-scale online casino operating under the guise of a film studio. Key facts include:

• Among the company's owners are individuals subject to sanctions.
• Investigators found that the KRAIL licence for film production was used as a cover, while illegal gambling activities were being conducted under this pretext.
• Staff recruitment was carried out through job vacancies for “TV presenters” and “studio administrators”, who in fact worked as croupiers in an online casino.
• Directly from an office in Dnipro, employees have been providing access to gambling in Ukraine, Europe, and Asia since 2021. During the search, 120 people involved in the platform's operations were present.
• Law enforcement officers are also investigating a possible link between the company and Russian structures.

From accusations to compensation demands

Despite obvious evidence, the owners of “ORIGINAL SPIRIT UA” not only do not acknowledge illegal activities but also attempt to present themselves as victims. The company is demanding compensation for damaged property and claims pressure from security forces.