Bookmaker Marathonbet to temporarily shut down UK operations due to Ukraine war impact

Online sports betting company Marathonbet is temporarily shutting down its UK operations over Ukraine war concerns. Customers of the sportsbook in the region were informed via email on Monday betting activities through the dedicated website would be suspended due to “ongoing events in Europe.” The notice was also posted on the company's website.

“As the Marathonbet brand is operated globally, recent and ongoing events in Europe have had a significant impact on us,” a company statement reads. “We regret to inform you that we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend services offered on the Marathonbet.co.uk website.”

Customers of the sportsbooks will no longer be able to make deposits or place bets with the brand after April 14, 2022. Additionally, the brand is no longer accepting account registrations, a measure enforced since last Monday.

Guests will, however, still be able to access their accounts to allow them to arrange withdrawal of outstanding balance, although “additional documentation may be required to process final withdrawals.”

Loyalty points will also no longer be awarded, starting from April 10. “For any outstanding Bonuses, Loyalty Points or Free Bets, all remaining wagering requirements must be met prior to April 14 in order to be available for withdrawal or further use,” a statement reads. Unused bonuses, loyalty points or free bets will be void after this date.

“We will endeavor to honor all bets that are due to be settled, according to the event results, by 00:00:00 on 24/05/2022,” said the business. “Any bets that cannot be settled by 00:00:00 on 24/05/2022, according to event results, will be voided.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your loyal custom and for supporting Marathonbet.co.uk,” the company concluded. “If these circumstances change, we will not hesitate to contact you.” All other Marathonbet websites will continue to operate as normal.

This includes the company’s Spain operations, under a license issued by the Directorate-General for the Regulation of Gambling; its Denmark business, under a license issued by the Danish Gambling Authorities; its Italy website, under a concession granted by the Customs and Monopoly Agency; and Marathonbet.com, under a license issued by the Government of Curaçao.

Marathonbet sponsored Manchester City

Marathonbet was first established in 1997 and operates internationally. The business offers both pre-match and live betting markets across a range of sports and live events through its online sportsbook and casino products. 

The business has an established presence in the Russian market, where it is among the handful of online books allowed to operate by the Roskomnadzor, the government’s communications agency. It began operating in the country and the CIS markets of Belarus and Kazakhstan in 1997.

The betting group launched its UK presence in 2015, where it operates under the domain of Panbet Ltd, and has offices in the towns of Brighton and Hove and in Crewe. In 2019, the business achieved a millionaire sponsorship deal with Manchester City FC, which gained the bookmaker notoriety by promoting it on the front of the team’s shirt.