As a result of complex operative-search effective measures taken by the RA National Security Service subdivisions, as well as large-scale investigative-procedural actions carried out by the officers of the Investigation Department of the RA National Security Service, cases of large-scale damage to the state as a result of fraud and as a result of illegal business activities, without special permission (license), that are subject to licensing, were revealed.

In particular, as a result of the measures taken, it was established that the competent persons of "Onira Club" LLC, registered in the State Register of Legal Entities of the RA Ministry of Justice on December 29, 2010, being aware of the fact that after January 1, 2014, as prescribed by the sub-clauses of “a”, “b”, “c” of the second paragraph of the 3^rd part of Article 6 of the RA Law “On Prize Games and Casinos” adopted on December 28, 2013, it is possible to organize a casino and (or) an automated prize game and (or) directly (through the same hall) online prize game at an exclusive distance, from educational and historical-cultural centers, administrative buildings of state and local self-government bodies, hospitals, established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia – within the administrative boundaries of Tsaghkadzor of Kotayk province, Jermuk of Vayots Dzor province, Sevan of Gegharkunik province, Meghri communities of Syunik province, within the territory of “Zvartnots” airport of Yerevan – as well as being aware of the fact of the possibility to carry out, in case of an investment program of more than 40 billion AMD, approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, activities in accordance with the standards and in places defined by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, with an intent to continue operating in the same place on preferential terms, to occupy a monopoly position in the field of prize games, and to cause particularly large amounts of property damage to the Government of the Republic of Armenia by deception, concealing the real facts, by deception, by presenting the recreational areas with a total of 13,377 hectares built before that by “Onira Club” LLC and by its founders and participants and having state registration in the State Committee of the Real Estate Cadastre of the Republic of Armenia on January 19, 2011, as well as the already operating “Shangri-La Casino”, as buildings constructed as a result of the investment of 61,146,139,340 AMD within the framework of the above-mentioned program, and as recreation premises with 500 opened job places, misled the relevant bodies, as a result of which the program received the approval of the Government of the Republic of Armenia and by the decision of December 26, 2013, 1477-A, it was allowed to continue the activity in the same place, as a consequence of which the state was deprived of the opportunity to receive factual investment in an especially large amount -  40 billion AMD.

Then, the competent persons of "Onira Club" LLC, using the opportunity obtained from the RA Government as a result of the fraud, on December 27, 2013 got the KhT-001 license for conducting the activities of prize games, casinos at the recreation and entertainment center located at 5 Yerevan-Abovyan highway in Verin Ptghni village, Kotayk provnce, RA, after which, ignoring the requirements of Article 6 (2) (a) of the RA Law “On Prize Games, Internet Prize Games and Casinos” on activities of prize games, casinos or organizing activities of prize games only in the place (address) specified in the license, violating the requirements of paragraph 14, subparagraph 14.3 of Article 19 of the RA Law “Оn State Duty”, Article 26 of the RA Law “Оn Taxes”, with an intent to carry out an activity, subject to licensing, without a special permit (license) in another place of the same area, under the name of the obtained license, without special permission (license), from 2014 to 2020, carried out activities of organization of casino and prize games, subject to licensing, as a result of a which a damage in an especially large amount, 29,750,000,000 AMD, was inflicted to the state.

On June 13, 2020, a criminal case was initiated on the fact in the Investigation Department of the RA NSS on the grounds of Article 188, Part 3, Clause 1 of the RA Criminal Code, and Article 184, Part 2, Clause 1 of the RA Criminal Code; urgent investigative and other procedural actions are being taken to find out the circle of persons involved in the criminal scheme, to give a criminal legal assessment to their actions, as well as to compensate the damage caused to the state.

Note: The suspect or accused of an alleged crime is considered innocent as long as his guilt is not proven in a manner prescribed by the Code of Criminal Procedure of RA - by the court decision entered into legal force.