Pskov archaeologists have found the location of an illegal gambling establishment of the 17th century in the city center. The "underground casino" was discovered as a result of excavations at the site of a former thermal power plant.

Historians have found a bench for playing alkerk, an analogue of modern checkers. Despite the fact that now this game is legal and belongs to the type of table entertainment, during the time of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, people played alkerk for money, and this was prohibited by law.

According to the Council Code of 1649, gamblers were punished. The most innocuous was whipping, but the offender could also be cut off the ears, fingers, or even a hand. Fearing of being caught, the players hid their passion. The playing field found during the excavation was painted on a regular bench - in the event of a raid, the board could be quickly covered with a rag or simply sat on it.

Archaeologists noted that this was not the only find associated with gambling. Earlier, during excavations in Pskov, many chips for playing alkerk were found.