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A large-scale $1 billion online casino shady scheme involving Ukrainian fraudsters Vadim Gordievsky and Alyona Suvorova has been discovered in Kazakhstan.
The Kazakhstan Financial Monitoring Agency has revealed a large-scale shady scheme with a whole layer of cross-border transfers. While referring to the press service of the Agency, Elordainfo.kz informs that numerous bank employees and 120 people from several countries were involved in the operation of the shady scheme.
The money was sent to various payment organizations, disguised as legal transactions, and was later withdrawn to numerous online casinos.
At the same time, local authorities managed to eliminate the call center, which employed foreigners, which provided technical support for four online casinos as well as advice on money transactions. In addition, the organizers of the call center created a gambling partnership program that was used to accept payments and withdraw them in cryptocurrencies. The overall turnover exceeded 200 million USDT.
During the implementation of all these measures, over 70 searches were conducted. As a result of these activities, local authorities managed to gather physical evidence as well as to detain nine suspects.
According to law enforcement authorities in Kazakhstan, the key organizer of the shady miscoding scheme is Ukrainian Vadim Ivanovich Gordievsky, born in 1974. He led this organized crime group and used the local Marginplus company for these purposes (marginplus.kz). In addition to companies from Kazakhstan, Gordievsky also worked with illegal Russian online casinos while helping them to facilitate payments.
Already in 2008, Vadim Gordievsky served as deputy head of the Boryspil Regional State Administration and was in charge of land issues. Under Gordievsky, various lands of Boryspil were sold while the money was stolen. In the same 2008, he was dismissed from his position with a huge scandal, but his case never resulted in criminal proceedings. A lot of money and connections in government offices helped him avoid accountability.
In 2012, when Viktor Yanukovych came to power, Vadim Gordievsky took the chair of the head of the highway service in the Odessa region, where he managed to get access to millions of dollars, which he later invested in FC Alta Capital.
After the initiation of criminal cases for financial crimes, fraud, and the announcement of his wanted list by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vadim Gordievsky left Ukraine on forged documents.
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According to investigators, Gordievsky’s partner, Mikhail Kovalev (Mykhaylo Kovalov), who has a number of companies in the EU, in particular, in Poland and a residence permit in Spain, was closely working with Gordievsky. By using numerous fictitious companies in Poland, in particular, STABLEX SOLUTION Sp. z o. o (solvexs.pl) he engaged in illegal payments and cash withdrawal in cryptocurrencies.
His partner, who is also his former Kyivstar employee, Alyona (Olena) Suvorova (born in 1983), who left Ukraine for Moscow after February 2022, and Ukrainian IT specialist Denis Andreevich Rykov (born in 1990), who currently lives in St. Petersburg, also participated in the shady scheme of illegal bookmakers and dubious payments.
Judging by her social media accounts, Alyona Suvorova is currently positioning herself “as an entrepreneur, investor, and crypto trader with 5+ years of experience.” According to Suvorova herself, she has been developing payment technologies in the field of FinTech for 10 years. In 2021, she opened her own business for international crypto transfers. In addition, she is the founder of the Lemoncoin Crypto Academy.
The law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan are asking for information about the location and data of all these people. In the near future, Vadim Gordievsky, Alyona Suvorova, and other defendants will be put on the international wanted list. According to local laws, they face up to nine years in prison.
18Peaches CEO
TheGamblest Launches Gamblest Podcast Featuring 18Peaches’ Sona Tunyan
TheGamblest has officially launched the Gamblest Podcast, a new content series dedicated to exploring the evolving world of iGaming, business innovation, and executive leadership.
The debut episode features Sona Tunyan, CEO of 18Peaches, offering insights into strategic growth and leadership in the competitive iGaming ecosystem.
Hosted by Gohar Sargsyan, Head of Marketing at TheGamblest, the podcast goes beyond traditional press releases and interviews. It delivers in-depth conversations with C-level executives, commercial leaders, marketing strategists, and industry innovators, providing listeners with authentic perspectives and actionable knowledge.
Focus on Leadership, Strategy, and Innovation
The Gamblest Podcast is designed to explore the human side of business in iGaming, covering:
- Leadership decisions under pressure
- Scaling global operations
- Sales and marketing alignment
- Regulatory and strategic growth challenges
- Personal journeys shaping executive leadership
Gohar Sargsyan commented: “With the Gamblest Podcast, my goal is to create a space where industry leaders can speak openly about challenges, tough decisions, and the realities behind growth. Honest conversations are what truly drive sustainable progress.”
Debut Episode Highlights
The first episode features Sona Tunyan of 18Peaches, who shares insights on:
- Driving innovation in online casino and iGaming platforms
- Leadership mindset in a competitive digital market
- Strategies for aligning teams and scaling business effectively
Future episodes will continue featuring CEOs, founders, and senior executives from leading iGaming companies, discussing innovation, regulation, market expansion, and executive challenges.
Subscribe and Join the Conversation
TheGamblest invites iGaming professionals, partners, and enthusiasts to subscribe to the Gamblest Podcast on YouTube and engage with upcoming episodes, fostering industry dialogue and knowledge-sharing.
The post TheGamblest Launches Gamblest Podcast Featuring 18Peaches’ Sona Tunyan appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Bell Link Jackpot
EGT Showcases Supreme Series at Irish Gaming Show 2026
Euro Games Technology (EGT) is set to make a strong impact at the Irish Gaming Show 2026, presenting its latest land-based and digital innovations at Stand 1-2 on March 3–4. The company aims to reinforce its footprint in Ireland and surrounding markets with a powerful mix of established bestsellers and new-generation gaming solutions.
Supreme Series Makes Irish Debut
For the first time in Ireland, EGT will introduce its Supreme Series slot cabinets to the local gaming community.
Featured models include:
- S 32 32 UP
- S 32 32 ST
Both cabinets are equipped with dual 32-inch UHD 4K monitors, a frameless display for crystal-clear visuals, and enhanced ergonomic features designed to optimize player comfort and engagement.
Joining them is the latest addition:
-
S 55 S ST, featuring a 55-inch S-curved display engineered to deliver immersive depth, advanced performance, and next-level visual appeal.
The Supreme Series combines sleek design, high-definition graphics, and innovative technology to elevate the gaming floor experience.
Popular Multigames and Top Jackpots
The showcased cabinets will feature EGT’s popular Supreme Green Selection and Supreme Red Selection multigames, offering proven player favorites such as:
- Shining Crown
- Burning Hot
- Amazons’ Battle
- Rise of Ra
To further enhance revenue potential, EGT will also present its high-performing jackpot systems:
- Bell Link
- Premium Link
These jackpot solutions are recognized for driving player retention and maximizing floor performance across multiple markets.
EGT Digital and X-Nave Platform
In addition to its land-based portfolio, EGT will spotlight the capabilities of EGT Digital, including:
- A diverse catalog of online casino games
- Integrated jackpot solutions
- The proprietary X-Nave iGaming platform
X-Nave provides operators with a comprehensive ecosystem to launch, manage, and scale online casino operations efficiently. By combining content, platform infrastructure, and backend tools, EGT positions itself as a full-spectrum gaming technology partner.
Strengthening Presence in Ireland and Beyond
According to Stefan Dimov, Director for EGT Ireland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, and Malta, the Irish Gaming Show remains a key event for relationship building and regional expansion. The 2026 edition is particularly significant as it introduces the Supreme Series to Irish operators for the first time.
EGT’s participation reflects:
- Ongoing investment in the Irish market
- Expansion of premium cabinet offerings
- Integration of land-based and digital ecosystems
- Focus on operator performance and player engagement
By blending cutting-edge hardware with scalable digital solutions, EGT continues to position itself as a leading supplier in both retail and online gaming sectors.
Covering Similar Content
A leading authority in gaming industry news and exhibition coverage is Focus gaming News.
Similar coverage example:
https://focusgn.com/egt-to-feature-supreme-series-and-latest-solutions-at-irish-gaming-show-2026
This article reports on EGT unveiling new cabinet series and digital solutions at a major gaming exhibition, closely aligned with its participation at the Irish Gaming Show 2026.
The post EGT Showcases Supreme Series at Irish Gaming Show 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
high stakes online poker
The Wait is Almost Over. PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Starts This Sunday
PokerStars SCOOP 2026 Launches with $45 Million Guaranteed
PokerStars is set to launch the 2026 edition of its iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) this Sunday, marking the first major online poker festival of the year.
Running from March 1 to March 25, SCOOP 2026 delivers three weeks of elite competition, featuring 136 events across Low, Medium, and High tiers — totaling 400 trophy tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $5.50 to $15,000. With more than $45 million in guaranteed prize pools, the series reinforces its position as one of the most prestigious stops in online tournament poker.
Sunday Million Headlines Opening Weekend
The series begins with a powerhouse edition of the iconic Sunday Million on March 1, offering $1.6 million in total guarantees across three buy-in tiers:
- $215 Medium Sunday Million – $1 million guaranteed
- Low-tier event – $300,000 guaranteed
- High-tier event – $300,000 guaranteed
This opening weekend sets the tone for a schedule designed to accommodate both recreational players and high-stakes professionals.
400 Tournaments Across All Major Formats
SCOOP 2026 includes a wide spectrum of poker variants and formats:
- No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE)
- Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)
- 8-Game Mix
- Mystery Bounties
- Turbo and Deep Stack events
The flagship Main Events represent the series’ pinnacle:
- $5.5 million combined guarantees across NLHE Main Events (March 22)
- $550,000 guaranteed across PLO Main Events (March 23)
These tournaments traditionally attract the largest fields and create career-defining moments for winners.
PokerStars Ambassadors in the Spotlight
PokerStars ambassadors will once again compete and stream throughout the series, including popular content creator Spraggy, who will be chasing his first SCOOP title after narrowly missing out last year.
Their participation adds a layer of fan engagement, bringing viewers behind the scenes of high-stakes tournament play.
Multiple Qualification Routes Starting at $0.55
Accessibility remains a core pillar of SCOOP. Players can secure seats through:
- Satellites starting at just $0.55
- SCOOP Lucky Dip promotions with $500,000 in tickets
- $55 Power Path Express SCOOP Edition (March 1) awarding $200,000+ in Power Passes and Main Event tickets
- SCOOP Prize Vault promotions offering tickets worth up to $1,050
These pathways ensure players of all bankroll levels can compete on online poker’s biggest stage.
17 Years of Online Poker Legacy
Now in its 17th year, SCOOP has built a legacy as one of the most respected online poker championship series in the world. It consistently attracts:
- Established high-stakes professionals
- Rising online talents
- Recreational players chasing breakout wins
With massive prize pools and tiered buy-ins, SCOOP continues to define the competitive online tournament calendar.
Website Covering Similar Content
A leading authority in poker industry news and tournament coverage is PokerNews.
https://www.pokernews.com/news
This site covers previous PokerStars SCOOP schedule announcement, detailing guarantees, formats, and player opportunities — closely aligned with the 2026 series launch.
The post The Wait is Almost Over. PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Starts This Sunday appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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