UNN: Sanctions Against Parimatch, 1xBet, and BetWinner Under Consideration in Brussels

According to its own correspondent in Brussels, Ukrainian National News Agency (UNN) reports on the prospect of international sanctions being imposed on the betting company Parimatch and several other betting brands.

Based on information received from the Council of Europe, UNN reports that the European Commission is preparing a document to impose sanctions on those on the sanctions list. This decision is in response to the decree issued by President Volodymyr Zelensky, which imposed restrictive measures on 287 legal and 120 physical individuals associated with the gambling business.

Brussels’ officials believe that by May, the European Commission will make a final decision on imposing sanctions on several bookmakers, including Parimatch, 1xBet, and BetWinner.

It’s worth noting that on March 10, Volodymyr Zelensky signed decree №145/2023. Sanctions primarily targeted Russian bookmakers, lottery operators and casinos. However, the official decision by Kyiv also affected several Ukrainian gambling companies.

The sanctions include asset freezes, revocation of licenses, and a ban on transferring intellectual property to third parties. They also prohibit conducting trading operations and transit of goods, as well as capital outflow from the country. Additional restrictions may also be imposed. Previously, Boris Davydenko, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Ukraine, expressed the opinion that the company 1xBet could be involved in sanctions against Parimatch.