A popular Ukrainian online gambling platform, Pin-Up, is reportedly channeling funds to support Russian military operations, according to Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation and Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin.

Pin-Up, which operates from Russian-controlled Luhansk Oblast under Russian ownership, is accused of:

• Directing gambling revenue to fund Russian military activities
• Sharing players' personal data with Russian officials
• Tracking and reporting Ukrainian Armed Forces members' gaming activities to Russian military leaders

Despite President Zelensky's April 2022 decree prohibiting military personnel from online gambling during martial law, many service members continue to use platforms like Pin-Up. This activity potentially compromises both military security and inadvertently supports Russian operations.

Pin-Up Global, the parent company, operates offices across multiple countries including Ukraine, Poland, Cyprus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Peru. While exact revenue figures aren't public, analysts estimate the company generates over $500 million annually.

Ukraine's gaming industry, legalized in 2020, typically requires:

• Casino operations limited to four-star hotels with 100+ rooms
• $5 million license fee
• 10% tax on slot revenue
• 18% tax on table games and other betting

As the conflict passes 1,000 days, this revelation highlights how civilian activities like online gambling can unknowingly impact military operations. Recent developments include President-elect Trump's call for an "immediate ceasefire" following his meeting with President Zelensky, potentially signaling new diplomatic approaches to ending the conflict.

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