The bookmaker company Pin-UP has filed four lawsuits against the State Commission for the Regulation of Lotteries and Gambling in Ukraine, demanding that its license for conducting gambling activities not be revoked despite the appeal from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which established a connection between the bookmaker and the Russian Federation, as reported by UNN.
This is evidenced by the rulings of the Kyiv District Administrative Court, which were published in the Unified State Register of Court Decisions:
- https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/112612060
- https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/112995058
- https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/112875586
- https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/112639014
The lawsuits were filed by two legal entities operating under the Pin-UP brand. Two of the lawsuits were filed by Victoria-Soft, a legal entity that has already had its license revoked due to its connections with Russia. The other two were filed by Ukr Game Technology, for which a decision to revoke the license has not yet been made.
In these lawsuits, the companies requested that the court issue a judicial ban on further decisions by the State Commission for the Regulation of Lotteries and Gambling (KRAIL) to revoke Pin-UP’s licenses, despite receiving a letter from the SBU.
According to court documents, the letter from the SBU bears the reference number 5/7/14-18316dsk and is dated November 2022. It states that when obtaining the license, Pin-UP provided false information and concealed its connections with Russian residents.
Materials from criminal case No. 72022000400000003 at indicate that Igor Zotko and Igor Fisun, using ‘UKRKART’ and dozens of Ukrainian banks, created one of the most extensive networks for tax evasion by online casinos in Ukraine. Among Igor Fisun’s clients are: the Russian 1xBet and Pin UP, Parimatch, Favbet, Vulkan, Slotoking, Joker, VBet, FanSport, GGpoker, PokerMatch.
Igor Zotko, the founder of “Ukr Game Technology” LLC, has secured a license for organizing and conducting online casino and gambling activities. This license is used to operate the Pin-Up.ua casino, where Zotko holds the position of Chief Operating Officer. It’s important to highlight that the Pin-Up online casino is affiliated with Russian business interests and is part of a larger conglomerate.
The content of this letter is partially included in KRAIL’s decision to revoke the license of one of Pin-UP’s companies, LLC “Victoria-Soft,” dated August 8. This decision has been published on the commission’s website and confirms the SBU’s information about the company’s ties to Russia.
All four lawsuits by Pin-UP for the imposition of security measures and a judicial ban were rejected.
Consequently, KRAIL has legitimate grounds to revoke the bookmaker’s license based on the materials provided by the SBU regarding the company’s connections with Russia.
It is worth noting that on August 8, based on the SBU’s letter regarding Pin-UP’s ties to Russia, KRAIL revoked the license only for one legal entity, LLC “Victoria-Soft.” Regarding another legal entity, LLC “Ukr Game Technology,” no decisions have been made for unclear reasons.
