Published on: December 10, 2024, 03:55h.
Last updated on: December 10, 2024, 03:55h.
Ukrainians participating in online gambling on a popular casino platform may unknowingly be contributing to funding their adversaries in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Pin-Up is a prominent iGaming website and app in Ukraine. However, the company is located in the Russia-controlled Luhansk Oblast and is owned by Russian nationals.
The State Bureau of Investigation in Ukraine and the Prosecutor General, Andriy Kostin, have stated that the owners of Pin-Up are diverting a portion of the online casino’s revenue to support Russia’s military operations. It is also alleged that Pin-Up has shared personal data of players and their locations with Russian authorities.
The platform is also accused of identifying online gaming activity among the Ukrainian Armed Forces and passing this information to Russian military leaders.
iGaming Restrictions for Service Members
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree in April 2022 banning military personnel from online gambling until the end of martial law.
Despite this decree, many members of the Ukrainian armed forces are reportedly continuing to engage in online gambling on platforms like Pin-Up. All forms of gambling were prohibited in Ukraine until Zelensky lifted the ban, including both physical casinos and online gaming, a year after taking office.
The 2020 gambling law only permits casinos at hotels with a minimum of 100 guestrooms and a rating of four stars or higher. Cultural and entertainment complexes, as well as registered ships in Ukraine, are also eligible for gaming licenses.
Licenses require a one-time fee of $5 million, and gaming revenue is taxed at different rates based on the type of game.
While the U.S. government is providing significant support to Ukraine’s defense, Russia is reportedly receiving backing from China, according to U.S. State Secretary Anthony Blinken. It appears that Ukrainians are inadvertently contributing to Russia’s aggression through their activities on Pin-Up.
Ukraine has been defending against Russia for over 1,000 days since the conflict began.
Following a meeting between President-elect Donald Trump and Zelensky, Trump called for an immediate ceasefire.
Trump expressed his desire for a ceasefire and negotiations to end the conflict, indicating a potential shift in U.S.-Russia relations.
Trump’s close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his previous term suggest that his reelection could lead to improved relations with Russia and a possible resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Pin-Up Global Operations
Pin-Up offers a variety of interactive games, including slot machines, table games, and sports betting. The parent company, Pin-Up Global, has offices in several countries, including Ukraine, Poland, Cyprus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Peru.
Although the exact revenue of Pin-Up is not publicly disclosed, industry analysts estimate that the company’s annual revenue exceeds half a billion U.S. dollars. As a privately owned entity, Pin-Up is not obligated to reveal its financial performance.