Original Spirit Denies Illegal Gambling Accusations, Threatens Legal Action

The company was the target of a recent operation by Ukrainian law enforcement, which alleged ties to illegal gambling, cybercrime, and money launderingImage Source: Shutterstock.com

Ukraine-based live casino content developerOriginal Spirit UA has threatened to ngake legal action against law enforcement authorities after a recent raid allegedly destroyed equipment worth approximately$2.3 million. The company vehementlydenies the allegationsof illegal gambling operations and claims that the authorities targeted a legitimate business on false grounds.

The Company’s Operations Suffered Irreversible Damage

TheUkrainian Prosecutor General’s Officerecently conducted a high-profile operation that included cybercrime investigators who alleged that Original Spirit was part of an international online illegal gambling ring. Authorities claimed the operation employed over 120 individuals and generated monthly revenues exceeding$5 million.

Afterextensive searches, authorities confiscated equipment, digital storage media, mobile phones, and documents reportedly linked to the illegal activities. Speaking for Ukrainian news outlet Delo, Original Spirit officialsfirmly rejected these charges, saying the company only produces video content for online games and exports it to Asian markets.

We categorically reject the accusations. The actions of law enforcement officers are open terror against an honest business. Such charges are complete nonsense.

Original Spirit statement

Original Spirit accused policemen of behaving like “vandals” when they raided the premises. The company’s statements described how armed police officersburst into its offices, frightening its employees, who are predominantly women, and systematically destroyedvaluable equipment. Original Spirit noted that the destroyed equipment was valued at roughly $2.3 million and was adamant it would seek compensation.

Original Spirit Vowed to Seek Justice

According to Original Spirit, this newest raid was not its first encounterwith Ukrainian law enforcement. The company recalled a similar raid a year and a half ago when the authorities carried out searchesand initiated an investigation. However, investigators ultimately dropped the caseafter they found nothing to indicate any violations. 

Original Spirit stated that as a result of the raid, it had no choice but to lay off 80 employees, crippling the company’s ability to stay in business. Company officials also noted that this unjustified crackdownhad cost the government a taxpayer who had contributed more than$720,000in tax payments since its establishment in 2021.

Law enforcement officers scared the employees, behaved rudely, and destroyed the equipment. Their every step is recorded, and documented and will be used as additional evidence in court. All those involved will be punished.

Original Spirit statement

The company vowed to seek justicethrough all available legal means, underlining it had always operated under an official KRAIL license and had invested over $2.4 million into fostering alawful and successful business. As the case unfolds, the controversy raises broader concerns about whether authorities have overstepped their boundaries in the name of enforcement.