--- title: "SBU and ESBU to Investigate Possible Links Between Online Casino Gorilla and Parimatch Group Amid Sanctions Evasion Allegations" description: "PlayCity has submitted a request to the SBU and ESBU to investigate potential links between the Gorilla online casino and the Parimatch group and possible sanctions evasion. The regulator has also blocked access to two unlicensed websites." date: 2026-11-10T13:35:32.202Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/sbu-esbu-probe-gorilla-parimatch-link tags: [online-casino, parimatch, gorilla, sanctions, ukraine, playcity, sbu, beb] author: "Darya Fomina, Andrey Kosynko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # SBU and ESBU to Investigate Possible Links Between Online Casino Gorilla and Parimatch Group Amid Sanctions Evasion Allegations ![A person playing an online casino game on a smartphone in front of two monitors](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/10/sbu-beb-proveryayut-svyaz-gorilla-parimatch/sbu-beb-proveryayut-svyaz-gorilla-parimatch-1.webp) ## Key Points - PlayCity has requested the SBU and ESBU to investigate the alleged link between Gorilla and Parimatch and potential sanctions evasion - The regulator has restricted access to the websites gorilla-kliche.co.ua and casinogorilla.co.ua for providing unlicensed gambling services - LLC 'GORILLABET' holds a KRAIL license No. 417 dated August 27, 2024, for online casino operations but lacks licenses for gambling service provision - In March 2023, a decree was signed sanctioning several Russian bookmakers, including Parimatch entities The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Economic Security Bureau (ESBU) are set to investigate information regarding a potential link between the online casino Gorilla and the Parimatch group, as well as the use of its resources to circumvent sanctions. A formal request was submitted to law enforcement agencies by PlayCity, the state agency regulating the gambling market, following a journalistic inquiry. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing PlayCity's response to the Telegraf publication. ### Journalistic Investigation and Regulator Inquiry Media outlets previously published a report on the operations of the Gorilla online casino and potential connections between its technical infrastructure and resources associated with the Parimatch group. The investigation specifically highlighted technical similarities between the platforms and the redirection of users from websites linked to Gorilla to the Parik24 online casino. Following the publication, journalists contacted the Ukrainian State Agency PlayCity to ask whether the agency was aware of these circumstances, whether it planned to inspect the activities of LLC "GORILLABET," and whether it would transfer the relevant materials to law enforcement authorities. ### Regulator's Response: Investigation via SBU and ESBU In its response, PlayCity noted that the information regarding the potential use of LLC "GORILLABET" to circumvent sanctions and organize an illegal gambling business for the Parimatch group through Parik24 resources requires verification. Consequently, the agency requested the SBU and ESBU to investigate the circumstances described by the journalists. PlayCity also requested to be informed of the results of the inspection should any enforcement measures be taken. ### Licensing Status of LLC "GORILLABET" and Access Restrictions Separately, PlayCity reported on its decisions regarding two web resources—gorilla-kliche.co.ua and casinogorilla.co.ua—where, according to the agency, facts were established of providing access to gambling games without the appropriate license. A decision was made to restrict access for both sites. At the same time, PlayCity confirmed that LLC "GORILLABET" holds a license to organize and conduct online casino gambling, issued based on KRAIL decision No. 417 dated August 27, 2024. The agency clarified that the company has not received licenses to provide services in the gambling sector. ### Sanctions Context and Next Steps It is worth recalling that in March 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree imposing sanctions on a number of Russian bookmakers. Several entities of the betting brand associated with the international holding company "Parimatch" were included in the sanctions list. Whether the circumstances cited by journalists regarding the potential link between Gorilla and Parimatch and the evasion of sanctions will be confirmed is to be determined by the competent authorities during an investigation initiated by PlayCity. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [СБУ и БЕБ проверят связь Gorilla с Parimatch по обращению PlayCity: что известно](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/sbu-ta-beb-pereviryat-zv-yazok-gorilla-parimatch-1794314260.html) - Source: PlayCity's response to Telegraf, cited by RBC-Ukraine. Confirmed: request to SBU/ESBU, decisions on two websites, KRAIL license No. 417 from 27.08.2024, and the 2023 sanctions decree. ## FAQ ### Who will investigate the potential link between Gorilla and Parimatch? At the request of PlayCity, the Security Service of Ukraine and the Economic Security Bureau are tasked with investigating the circumstances reported by journalists. ### Does LLC 'GORILLABET' have a license? Yes, the company holds a license to organize and conduct online casino gambling under KRAIL decision No. 417 dated August 27, 2024, but it has not obtained licenses to provide services in the gambling industry. ### Which websites had their access restricted? PlayCity made a decision to restrict access to the websites gorilla-kliche.co.ua and casinogorilla.co.ua, which, according to the agency, provided access to gambling without a license.