Marina Ilina, CEO of PIN-UP Global, defends PIN-UP Ukraine against absurd allegations of Russian ties in an exclusive NEXT.io interview.
In December of last year, the Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) accused PIN-UP Ukraine of having untoward links to Russia. The company has defended itself in court. Since then, law enforcement has pursued numerous individuals connected to the business.
Marina Ilina, CEO of PIN-UP Global, spoke exclusively to NEXT.io in the company’s first public statement on the issue. She addressed the affiliate’s connection to the main business, the company’s perspective on the charges, and the government’s treatment of their partners.
Marina Ilina explains that, in simple terms, PIN-UP Global Holding specializes in developing technologies and products for the iGaming industry. They focus on providing high-quality technical solutions for large B2C clients, including gambling operators. They also grant licenses for use of the PIN-UP brand/trademark.
Igor Zotko owns Ukr Game Technology, also known as Brand PIN-UP.UA, in Ukraine. Since 2021, they have had a license to operate online casinos. The company operates under a license agreement with PIN-UP Global Holding and pays the corresponding royalties. In other words, they have a purely intellectual property license relationship.
Since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, allegations of Russian ties have become a convenient tool for pressure. Even absurd speculations on this topic can create a strong public reaction.
Nonetheless, if they look at the bottom line, the situation is much simpler. Ukr Game Technology LLC has been the largest taxpayer in gambling of Ukraine for numerous years in a row. And it’s not only taxes that the company paid under the leadership of Igor. As a socially responsible businessman, he personally spent millions of euros on charity and support for the country at war.
