A large-scale redistribution of market shares is currently taking place in Ukraine’s gambling industry, accompanied by the revocation of licenses of one of its largest operators, FAVBET. This process unfolds against the backdrop of regulatory audits by the specialized state body, PlayCity, and the simultaneous strengthening of the BETON brand. The latter is linked to businessman Andriy Dovbenko, who has been wanted by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) since 2023. Industry experts view these developments as a systemic restructuring of the legal gambling business.
The problems for this key player in the Ukrainian gambling market began in January 2026. The operator independently approached the regulator, PlayCity, requesting the termination of its bookmaker license, which was officially revoked on January 27.
However, subsequent state sanctions proved to be significantly harsher. In April, PlayCity terminated the slot machine hall license held by LLC «Favbet Game Slots.» Simultaneously, based on the results of an inspection, a fine was imposed on the company. Total claims, including associated penalties, amounted to approximately 1 billion hryvnias.
The list of violations documented by the regulator included:
Non-compliance with restrictions regarding ultimate beneficial owners and control by residents of the Russian Federation;
Violation of brand positioning requirements;
Delinquency on license payments;
Provision of inaccurate information;
Lack of documentary evidence for the inspection of 108 slot machines.
The pressure on Andriy Matyukha’s structures continued into late spring. On May 29, PlayCity revoked the license of LLC «Favbet Vip Casino» (operating under the Billionaire brand) due to violations of Article 14 of the specialized law on gambling, uncovered during an unscheduled inspection.
The regulatory crisis immediately impacted the operator’s marketing activities. The day after PlayCity’s April rulings, FC Shakhtar Donetsk officially announced the premature termination of its partnership with FAVBET, which had served as the club’s title partner for nearly three seasons.
The vacant high-profile advertising space was swiftly occupied by the BETON brand. The new sponsorship agreement with the Donetsk-based club was signed for a period of three years.
Parallel to the legal dismantling of FAVBET’s positions, a targeted media campaign was launched to redirect customer traffic. Media coverage highlighting the financial and licensing struggles of Matyukha’s holding began actively promoting alternative legal operators, specifically BETON and Vbet. This marketing strategy successfully reoriented player flows toward resources linked to Andriy Dovbenko.
Background Note: Andriy Dovbenko has been officially wanted by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) since 2023. He is a key suspect in a case involving fraudulent schemes with assets seized by the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA), facing charges of abuse of office and misappropriation of property. In 2025, NABU repeatedly summoned Dovbenko for procedural actions, but his current whereabouts remain unknown.
The ongoing situation vividly illustrates the shifting realities of the Ukrainian business landscape, where individuals on official anti-corruption wanted lists retain the leverage to influence asset redistribution. Notably, the displacement of established market players is occurring strictly within the legal framework—via electronic workflows, scheduled audits, and official decrees by the state regulator.