The Ukraine Gambling Council (UGC) has thrown its hat into the ring regarding the recent sanctions imposed on betting companies by the Ukrainian government, particularly regarding Parimatch LLC.

Sharing a statement via the trade association’s LinkedIn, UGC Chair Anton Kuchukhidze stated that sanctioning of illegal firms has a positive purpose for the ‘white market’, and that countering ‘ruscists’ brands’ was an ‘imperative’ function of law enforcement.

However, he added that despite these responsibilities, the UGC believes that Parimatch Ukraine is anything but a pro-Russian brand and that the sanctions against it are likely the result of an error by law enforcement.