SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Parimatch has categorically denied reports in Indian media that its brand has faced enforcement action from national tax authorities, according to a statement from GR8 Tech.
Speculation last week in India Today and the Hindustan TImes alleged that the Cyprus-based betting operator had been targeted by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence.
The reports also alleged that a man, who the Times described as a Director of the firm, had also been arrested due to Parimatch operating a betting and gaming business in India without a licence.
Reaching out to GR8 Tech – the technology supplier to the Parimatch sportsbook franchise, and formerly trading as Parimatch Tech until a rebrand earlier this year – SBC learned that the operator fully denies the reports and asserts that no investigations or enforcement has taken place.
The firm’s statement read: “GR8 Tech is a B2B service provider that offers services to clients worldwide. One of our clients is the international brand Parimatch, which operates through franchise representatives in several markets, including India.
“Following the query regarding the situation in India, Parimatch representatives informed us that the information published in India Today media outlet is untrue and lacks factual evidence. They confirmed that Indian tax or law enforcement authorities had conducted no investigations against the company or its personnel.
“As per the non-disclosure agreement between our clients and us, we cannot disclose any further information or communicate on behalf of our client. If additional details regarding the case are required, we advise contacting the local representatives directly.”
Betting and gaming is a grey area in India, with no federal legislation existing to regulate the sector on a national level, although online gambling is permitted by some regional regulations in some states, notably Goa, Sikkim, Nagaland and Daman.
Nationally, additions were recently made to the country’s Information Technology Rules, aimed at better identifying gambling products and services, although the changes did receive some criticism for potentially breaching freedom of speech laws.
Parimatch, meanwhile, operates on a franchise model across several international markets, including India.
GR8 Tech owns and supplies the Ukraine-founded company’s technology, with its brand subsequently franchised out in multiple jurisdictions. For example, BetVictor operates its UK website.
The reports follow accusations levied against the company in its founding nation of Ukraine, with the government suspending Parimatch’s betting licence in the country, citing alleged Russian business links amid the ongoing war.
Parimatch has been outspoken in its support for the Ukrainian effort against Russia’s invasion, and the brand has also secured the verbal support of the Ukraine Gambling Council (UGC).
