Pin Up and local licenses: in which countries does the operator officially operate?

Ukraine: Local KRAIL License as a Strategic Breakthrough

One of the most important steps for Pin Up was obtaining an official license in Ukraine. Following the legalization of online gambling in 2020, the country created the Gambling and Lotteries Regulation Commission (GLRC), which began issuing licenses to operators. Pin Up was one of the first to apply and, in 2021, received a five-year license to organize and conduct online gambling. This event marked a strategic breakthrough: for the first time, a brand previously associated exclusively with the offshore jurisdiction of Curaçao received national recognition. For players, this meant that their deposits and winnings were protected by Ukrainian law, and disputes could be heard in national courts. Moreover, Pin Up Ukraine actively integrated into the country's economy: paying taxes, creating jobs, and participating in volunteer initiatives. Thus, the local license transformed Pin Up from a "foreign" operator into a full-fledged participant in the Ukrainian market, strengthening user trust and elevating the brand's status. Pinup AZ: Official License and Transparency Control — https://www.obekti.bg/sites/artcles/index.php?comparison_of_pin_up_licenses_with_competitors__who_is_more_reliable_.html

Curaçao: An International Base and Global Expansion

Despite local licenses, the Curaçao license remains fundamental to Pin Up. It allows the operator to operate in numerous unregulated markets, including the CIS countries, Latin America, and parts of Asia. The Curaçao license has historically been considered a "core" license for international operators: it ensured minimum security standards and allowed for legal cooperation with game providers and payment systems. For Pin Up, this became the foundation for global expansion: the company was able to offer its services to millions of players, even in countries without local regulation. However, it is important to understand that the Curaçao license is not always recognized in Europe and North America, so Pin Up must obtain national permits to enter these markets. Nevertheless, Curaçao remains the core of the brand's international strategy, allowing it to maintain flexibility and scalability.

Local restrictions: where Pin Up cannot work

Despite its vast geographic reach, Pin Up has officially banned its trademark in a number of countries. These include Russia, where online casinos are illegal, and over thirty other countries, including China, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Zimbabwe, and others. The reasons for the bans vary: in some cases, it's due to strict government regulation and prohibitions on gambling, while in others, it's due to political and economic risks. For Pin Up, this is a strategic decision: it's better to abandon a market where legality and security cannot be guaranteed than to risk its reputation. For players, this means that access to Pin Up in these countries is only possible through mirror sites or VPNs, but there's no legal protection. Thus, the list of restrictions demonstrates the brand's commitment to operating legally where possible and avoiding gray areas where the risks are too high.

Prospects for entering new markets

Pin Up is actively exploring the possibility of obtaining local licenses in other countries. This primarily concerns Latin America, where online gambling regulation has been rapidly developing in recent years. Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina are creating their own licenses, and Pin Up is already testing these markets through affiliate programs. In Europe, Spain and Portugal remain promising destinations, where national regulators issue licenses to international operators. For Pin Up, this is an opportunity to strengthen its position and enhance its brand image: MGA (Malta) or UKGC (UK) licenses would open access to major markets and enable collaboration with leading payment systems. However, obtaining such licenses requires significant investment in compliance and infrastructure. Nevertheless, Pin Up's strategic goal is clear: to gradually transition from an offshore model to local licenses to build player trust and mitigate regulatory risks.

Reputation and the importance of local licenses for players

For players, having a local license has not only legal but also psychological significance. When Pin Up operates under a Curacao license, players understand they have basic protection, but in the event of a dispute, they will have to turn to a foreign regulator. When an operator obtains a license in a specific country, the situation changes: players feel their interests are protected by national law, and disputes can be resolved in local courts. This increases trust and reduces the number of complaints. Moreover, local licenses allow Pin Up to integrate into the country's economy: paying taxes, supporting social projects, and collaborating with local companies. For the brand, this means a boost in reputation and a stronger market position. Thus, local licenses become more than just a formality, but a strategic tool that helps Pin Up build long-term relationships with players and governments.

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Kazakhstan: Regulation Prospects and Pin Up's Interest

Kazakhstan has been actively discussing the legalization of online gambling in recent years, and Pin Up is closely monitoring the situation. Currently, only bookmakers and betting shops operating under a license from the Ministry of Culture and Sports are officially permitted in the country. Online casinos remain outside the legal framework, but discussions on creating a regulated environment are underway at the parliamentary level. For Pin Up, this is a potentially strategic market: Kazakhstan has a developed online payment infrastructure, high internet penetration, and growing interest in gambling. If a national regulator is established in the coming years, Pin Up will be able to apply for a license and legally operate in the country. For players, this will mean access to an international brand with local protection, and for the government, new tax revenues. Therefore, Pin Up views Kazakhstan as a promising destination, where a local license could be key to a long-term presence.

Azerbaijan and the CIS countries: working under restrictions

In Azerbaijan and several CIS countries, the gambling licensing situation remains complex. In Azerbaijan, only state-owned lotteries and bookmakers are officially permitted, while online casinos are banned. However, Pin Up continues to operate in the region under an international license from Curaçao, offering access to its services through its official website and mirror sites. For players, this means there is no legal protection at the national level, but basic guarantees are provided by the international license. In other CIS countries, such as Belarus and Armenia, regulation is more flexible: they have national licenses, and Pin Up is considering entering these markets in the future. Therefore, the company's strategy in the region is based on a combination of an international license and the expectation of local reforms that will allow for legalization of its operations.

Latin America: New Horizons for Pin-Up

Latin America is becoming one of the most dynamic online gambling markets, and Pin Up is actively exploring opportunities to obtain local licenses in the region. Colombia already has a national license issued by the Coljuegos regulator, and Pin Up views this market as an entry point. Brazil passed a law legalizing betting in 2023, and a full-fledged licensing system is expected to be launched in the coming years. Peru and Argentina are also establishing their own regulatory bodies. For Pin Up, this is an opportunity to gain a foothold in a region where demand for gambling is growing and competition is not yet as intense as in Europe. Local licenses will allow the company not only to operate legally but also to integrate into the national economies, creating jobs and paying taxes. For players, this will mean access to an international brand with national protection, increasing trust and reducing risks.