An underground casino inside a prison in Russia was recently uncovered by the country’s top law enforcement agency. Russia’s Federal Security Service discovered the illegal gambling operation within a prison in Rostov, a southern Russian city bordering Ukraine. During their investigation, authorities seized a range of gambling paraphernalia, including casino chips, dozens of decks of playing cards, a mobile phone, SIM cards, and other equipment tied to the illicit casino.
The operation was reportedly orchestrated by a single inmate who facilitated the illegal betting activities and games. Law enforcement revealed that winnings were paid out via wire transfers twice a month, with some inmates collecting over 100,000 rubles (approximately US$1,100). The mastermind behind the gambling ring has been identified as a 30-year-old convicted thief serving a four-year sentence. He now faces additional charges for his role in the underground casino, a development that could significantly extend his time behind bars.
This revelation comes as Russia’s Federal Security Service conducts widespread raids of penitentiaries across the nation. These actions follow two prison uprisings in Rostov and Volgograd, where inmates plotted to seize control of the facilities. The federal probe aims to uncover the reasons behind these substantial security breaches.
Gambling in Russia has been heavily restricted since 2009, during the tenure of President Dmitry Medvedev. The activity is legal only in four designated zones, with casinos operating solely in the Far East Primorye gaming region north of Vladivostok. Efforts to establish a Russian version of the Las Vegas Strip have floundered, with investors retreating during the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine deterring further investment. Anyone caught gambling illegally in Russia faces severe financial penalties and potential imprisonment. The inmate accused of organizing the prison’s gambling operation is looking at an additional two-year sentence.
Russia’s prison system, notorious for its harsh conditions and lack of human rights protections, is ranked among the world’s most dangerous. A recent report by Security Journal Americas placed two Russian prisons—Black Dolphin Prison in Orenburg and Butyrka Prison in Moscow—on a list of the “15 Worst Prisons in the World.” Butyrka is infamous for its overcrowding, inadequate facilities, and violent inmate v. inmate brutality.
However, Black Dolphin Prison is reputed to be even worse, housing the country’s most heinous criminals, including serial killers, terrorists, child molesters, cannibals, and rapists. Under constant 24-hour surveillance, inmates at Black Dolphin endure physical and psychological abuse and are not allowed to sit or rest during the day. They must stand or move and adhere to all orders with a strict “yes, sir.” Extreme isolation is enforced, with minimal contact allowed with the outside world or fellow prisoners. The prison’s rigorous discipline and grueling labor, compounded by frequent reports of violence and psychological pressure, contribute to Black Dolphin’s fearsome reputation.
