Gambling industry continues to deliver Ukrainian support packages

As the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine continues, more companies across the gambling industry are offering help and support to Ukrainian employees and the wider public.

Ukraine is home to multiple igaming tech centres, development studios and operator and supplier support networks that are dealing with the effects of the ongoing Russian-led invasion.

While there have been several sanctions and actions taken by governments and different organisational bodies worldwide, the gambling industry has stepped up with additional support.

Several firms, including Optimove and iGaming Group, were among the first in the industry to pledge support to the humanitarian aid effort in Ukraine. On Monday, Greek sports betting operator OPAP suspended all betting on Russian sporting events.

Following the UK government’s announcement of a Russian sanctions list, the UKGC reminded operators of their responsibilities when dealing with sanctioned countries.

In the days since the invasion began, and sadly accelerated, the igaming industry has continued to donate and support Ukraine with a variety of packages. This article will be continually updated as more firms pledge their support for the area.

Entain Foundation donates humanitarian aid

The Entain Foundation, the non-profit arm of London-listed operator Entain, has donated £50,000 to provide humanitarian aid to those affected in Ukraine.

This donation was made via Crown Agents, which is a not-for-profit organisation that has been working in Ukraine for 25 years. The money will be used for life-saving medical equipment to treat the injured and wounded in the region.

Flutter donates to CARE International

Flutter will be donating  £250,000 to its long term partner CARE International who are working on the ground in Ukraine.

This donation is in addition to a donation page set up by Flutter for its staff to pledge to with the firm stating that every pound donated will be matched by the company up to £250,000.

SuperBet provide support for Polish and Romanian refugees

Through the Superbet foundation, the firm are providing support of €265,000 (£219,525) to help arriving refugees in Romania and Poland.

In Romania, SuperBet are working with the Ministry of the Interior to best identify ways to support, at the moment this is through accommodation, food and medical care for at least 100 refugees. The firm have also provided more than 800 pre-paid phones to allow them to contact family and friends.

In Poland, SuperBet are working with two NGO’s, Polski Czerwony Krzyż (PCK) i Polska Akcja Humanitarna (PAH) to provide funding for the refugees arriving.

LeoVegas pledges SEK500,000 to the Red Cross

In a statement on LinkedIn, LeoVegas Group CEO Gustaf Hagman announced that his firm would be donating SEK500,000 (£38,636) to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The charity provides first aid and medical equipment, distributes drinking water, repairs vital infrastructure and aims reunite families.

Hagman said: “We encourage employees that feels they want ‘to do something’ and has the means to do so, to make a donation to The Red Cross.”

LeoVegas Group has also decided to suspend all betting on Russian and Belarusian domestic sports. The operator noted that it did not want to lend legitimacy to those league or competitions. The firm has also said it is monitoring the situation closely and doing everything it can to help colleagues and consultants in Ukraine.

GoFundMe page with a £250,000 goal set up

The industry has also come together to create a charity funding page via GoFundMe to help raise money for Choose Love.

Established in 2015, Choose Love is a UK-based NGO which provides humanitarian aid to refugees around the world.

Among those that have donated to this page already include: Better Collective, BeyondPlay’s Karolina Pelc and Just For The Win.

iGaming Content Services lends support to small Ukraine team

iGaming Content Services has released a statement regarding its five full-time team members in Ukraine.

The statement read: “You have our full support. All your planned tasks for the remainder of Q1 are irrelevant, and you have other things to take care of. You can count on a full salary.

“In case you have time for work, we want you to focus on things that are more important for everyone today. Whatever it is – from social media to helping people on the ground.

“We know you are united and will find the best way for you to contribute. We believe in you. We are proud of you. You fight not only for your country but for peace and justice in the whole world,” the statement concluded.

British Horseracing Authority supports the British Red Cross

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) confirmed that it would be supporting the humanitarian effort in Ukraine with a donation to the British Red Cross

STS donates to Polish Humanitarian Action

Polish operator STS confirmed it had donated PLN100,000 (£17,483) to the Polish Humanitarian Action charity. In addition to this donation, STS employees will take part in a collection for those in need, organised by the Polish-Ukrainian Centre Foundation and the Bartel Foundation.

MGA reminds its licensees of their sanctions monitoring obligations under the National Interest Act

The MGA has released a statement regarding the intensifying state of affairs in Ukraine and what it means for its licensees.

Licensees are reminded in particular of the need to undertake sanctions screening before the start of a commercial engagement and on a risk-sensitive basis thereafter. The implementation of new or updated fines should be viewed as a cue to conduct new checks on customers.

Licensees are also reminded of the requirement to halt any transaction, freeze any assets and notify the SMB of any customers who meet the applicable sanctions lists.

LiveScore withdraws all Russian competitions on the platform

A message displayed on the LiveScore app’s homepage states that “due to the tragedy taking place in Ukraine, LiveScore will not show Russian competitions for the foreseeable future”.

Clarion Gaming bans Russian and Belarusian companies and representatives from events

Clarion Gaming MD Alex Pratt confirmed that due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, it had been decided that Clarion Gaming will be suspending Russian and Belarusian state entitles, companies and their representatives from participating in events and digital products, including the upcoming ICE and iGB Affiliate events in London.

Allwyn confirms donations and bans Russian involvement in sponsored events

Pan-European lottery operator Allwyn will raise funds for the Red Cross to support those in Ukraine, with the company also imploring employees to engage in volunteer work.

The operator has also sent trucks equipped with durable food, mattresses, sleeping bags, camping mats, hygiene products to provide refugees with vital supplies.

One of the group’s offices in Prague has also been converted to a safe centre for Ukrainian refugees.

Allwyn also noted that via its partnership with Prague’s international music festival Dvořákova Praha, it had banned “Kremlin linked” musicians from performing including Putin supporter Valerije Gergiev.

Paf donates €300,000 to Ukraine in relief

Paf, in partnership with the government of the Åland Islands has donated €300,000 in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The monies will be used by the UNHCR and the Finnish Red Cross in Ukraine.

Christer Fahlstedt, Paf CEO, said: “We are very happy that our owner has taken this initiative. The situation in Ukraine is just unimaginable and affects us all deeply.

“We are grateful to have this opportunity to participate and contribute,” he added.

Turbo Games calls for operators to stop entertainment in Russia and Belarus

In a statement, Turbo Games has asked all its clients to ban all Russian and Belarusian IP addresses on their platforms and freeze deposits of players from the countries-aggressors. The firm have terminated all of its contracts with the aggressors as well.