Official Expo 2030 Odesa website turned into online casino

The website created as part of Ukraine’s bid to host the Expo 2030 World Exhibition in Odesa is now being used for purposes other than its intended one. Instead of information about the international event, the resource hosts an online casino by Pragmatic Play, which accepts bets, including in Russian rubles.

How did this happen?

After Ukraine lost the bid to host Expo 2030, the project’s official website was left without control by the Cabinet of Ministers or regional authorities. As a result, it was handed over to third parties who turned it into a gambling platform.

Who is behind the scandal?

Among those involved in organising the Expo 2030 project is entrepreneur Dmitry Starovoitov — co-founder of D-group and owner of the controversial company Megalyne. His business partner Halyna Butova also held key positions in the project’s management. According to sources, both are linked to Ukrainian People’s Deputy Alexey Leonov from the Servant of the People party.