Parimatch continues to operate illegally in Ukraine

Parimatch continues to circumvent sanctions: schemes, scandals and complaints

Despite sanctions imposed by Ukraine on Parimatch, the company appears to have found ways to continue its operations in the country. Using a scheme that has become a classic for shadow bookmakers like 1xBet, Parimatch creates clone sites on an identical platform, such as Dude Bet.

How does the scheme work?

Clone sites visually replicate the original platform entirely. Advertising materials often feature familiar brand elements, including the Parimatch domain, making this scheme highly convincing.

The algorithm of actions is simple:

1. Clients top up their accounts through numerous methods — from p2p transfers to cryptocurrencies.
2. Problems arise when attempting to withdraw winnings: either requests are ignored, or customer support responds with indefinite timelines.
3. The result is that won money remains inaccessible, while deposited funds effectively disappear.

Who is behind the scheme?

Information about the owners of Dude Bet is absent, as is a licence for the platform. The company is not represented in official app stores — neither in the App Store nor in Google Play.

Scandals of December 2024

In late 2024, users began filing mass complaints against Dude Bet. Among the main grievances:

• inability to withdraw won funds;
• disappearance of deposited funds;
• lack of coherent responses from customer support.

Essentially, the company's actions resemble a financial pyramid scheme more than legal bookmaking activity.

Why are sanctions not working?

The main question is how Parimatch manages to continue its operations despite sanctions. A simple domain block is resolved instantly: the user is automatically redirected to a new working mirror. If at least minimal efforts were made to circumvent restrictions with 1xBet, in the case of Parimatch it creates the impression that someone is deliberately turning a blind eye to what is happening.

What does this mean for players?

Trust in a brand that was once well-known among Ukrainian users continues to plummet rapidly. The fact that Parimatch, having been placed under sanctions, has not only failed to cease its operations but also uses grey schemes undermines the reputation of the entire industry.

For users, this is a signal to be extremely cautious: any investments on such platforms are associated with high risks. Winnings may remain inaccessible, and deposits may vanish without a trace.

Conclusion

The story of Dude Bet is another example of how sanctions and legislative restrictions lose their effectiveness without proper oversight. It seems Parimatch is doing everything possible to stay afloat, even if it means deceiving its own clients.