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Pin-up owner Igor Zotko: Driving change in the Ukrainian gambling industry

Pin-up owner Igor Zotko: Driving change in the Ukrainian gambling industry

A successful entrepreneur and founder of Ukr Game Technology, Igor Zotko, has demonstrated excellent results in the field of gambling in Ukraine. Due to its involvement in the social sphere, its Pin-Up online casino has significantly contributed to the development of small businesses. It also helped the Armed Forces and the people who lost everything due to the war started by Russia. So how does the gambling entertainment sector influence the country’s development and involvement in new social programs?

Online gambling revolution in Ukraine: Igor Zotko on CRAIL

Although this sector was legalized in our country only in 2020, it has already achieved remarkable results. Igor Zotko is convinced that this was the right decision, so a business should be white and transparent.

“We pay the right taxes and contribute to the development of our country. Modern business should be socially responsible and support the economic stability of the country. We will continue to improve our services and create a competitive market.” commented the Pin-Up owner.

Pin-Up.ua was one of the first companies to obtain this license and is currently the largest contributor (3.4 billion UAH in 2023) in this sector. Therefore, the recent slander about Igor Zotko’s involvement in Russia is complete misinformation. CRAIL personally conducted an investigation and informed the court in writing that this information has no basis and is a lie.

The Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries has become the main gambling regulatory body in Ukraine. The purpose of the Commission is to monitor gambling activity, viz

  • Issuance of licenses
  • Control and supervision of activities
  • Periodic monitoring and inspections
  • Combating fraud.

Of course, the signing of the law regarding the legalization of online casinos had an impact on the market. However, Ukrainian gambling platform operators are still working in the gray area and avoiding responsibility. This raises many questions for this commission and here is what Igor Zotko thinks about KRAIL.

He said that nowadays online casinos in Ukraine have a good potential, but it is affected by several factors:

  1. First, the government needs to listen to market representatives and develop more effective regulatory policies that take into account the needs of all parties in the gambling industry.
  2. Secondly, it is necessary to revise the taxation system, which will be attractive for gambling businesses.
  3. Finally, operators must comply with all regulations and laws, provide players with quality services and be socially responsible.

Igor Zotko shows how online casinos can have a positive impact on national development, even in times of war

The best proof of a businessman’s words is his actions. Having such large businesses as Ukr Game Technology, “Yedynyy prostir” and Pin-Up, Igor Zotko is actively involved in other projects aimed at the social sphere:

  • Pin-Up Foundation: During the war, the foundation sent 153 million UAH in aid to the regions most affected by the Russian attack. More than 100 refugees who lost their homes following the hydroelectric plant explosion have been evacuated. In addition, shelters were established in Kherson and Kharkiv regions and 200 tons of humanitarian aid were delivered to the most vulnerable.
  • Employee support: One of the most important objectives during the war was to provide secure jobs. That’s why the company evacuated the employees who were in the hot spots. Throughout the war, regular support was provided through charging stations, power banks and outage generators. Employees who have been mobilized are paid and receive support from the team.
  • Support for the military: The Pin-Up Foundation not only supports its wartime employees, but also processes applications from other military units. Igor Zotko’s “Yedynyy prostir” project also donates to the Armed Forces of Ukraine through UNITED24 for Army drones and military bonds.
  • A grant program with Forbes: Together, they draw a grant of UAH 5 million. The program is open to micro and small businesses most affected by the war. Companies from regions such as Dnipro, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson and Chernihiv can apply.
  • ASKOLD training center for mobilized soldiers: Igor Zotko personally finances this center, where more than 17,000 soldiers have already been trained.

“Helping each other in difficult times should be a slogan and a personal position. Understanding the complexity of doing business during war, especially in regions close to the fighting, we want to show our collective support and united strength in our desire to build a country of economic success” says Igor Zotko, founder of “Ukr Game Technology”.

Ways to develop the gambling market from Igor Zotko

The young businessman pointed out that the first thing you have to deal with are individuals and the media who comment on the market in a toxic manner and create IPSOs. Such claims, which have no basis in fact, damage not only the reputation of a casino, but the entire industry. The only official industry regulator is CRAIL, which is under the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Therefore, people should listen to their conclusions and statements.

The second existing problem is a common gaming and lottery law. Each area should have a separate regulatory body or different licensing and taxation systems.

The third is to remove all casinos from the gray area. Unfortunately, up to 45% of market operators are unlicensed and tax evaders. This not only hurts the state budget, but also destroys healthy competition in the market. After all, licensed casinos do not have such favorable conditions as websites that are not regulated by the state.

The owner of Pin-Up.ua, Igor Zotko, added that the Ukrainian government has taken a decisive step by legalizing all types of gambling. In European countries, such a law usually covers only one area, which allows for more detailed monitoring and auditing.

It is possible to improve the work of KRAIL: Thoughts of Igor Zotko

In general, it is difficult to discuss the development of such a sector when there are other, much more important goals, such as peace in Ukraine. However, the gambling business continues to operate and grow. Igor Zotko believes that online casinos should continue to support the social sphere, the military and the population groups that suffered the most from the war.

Speaking about KRAIL, the owner of Pin-Up.ua is confident that if all business stakeholders, including the state, operators and players, are involved in improving gambling the law, problems can be solved. He also emphasized that the most important thing is to close down casinos that conduct illegal activities and evade taxes, preventing the activity of legal platforms.

This article was written in collaboration with Mark Donald