Gaming Industry for Ukraine fundraiser inches towards £250,000 target

The industry fundraiser has already raised almost £200,000 for Ukraine.

UK. The Gaming Industry for Ukraine fundraising drive on gofundme.com has already reached £195,000, putting it well on its way towards its £250,000 target. The initiative aims to raise funds for the Choose Love charity’s Ukraine Crisis Fundraiser.

To date, the largest donation by far is £50,000 from Betsson Group. Companies including Better Collective, Enteractive, Funfair Games, Just for the Win, Microgaming and OLBG have also contributed as have FSB Technology and Clarion Gaming.

Choose Love aims to raise £2.5m to support of the Ukrainian people, both those fleeing the country and those inside Ukraine. Donations will be used for emergency medical care, food, shelter and legal support.

Many gaming operators have responded to the humanitarian crisis generated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Soft2Bet has announced a charity event, and SOFTSWISS has suspended all marketing activities to provide financial support to organisations that are helping Ukrainian citizens.

Slava Zhuk, advisor at Turbo Games, has called on all operators to block their services for the Russian Federation and Belarus. Genius Sports has already taken up the call and ceased commercial operations in Russia, as has the gaming provider BETER.

Meanwhile, both the Malta Gaming Authority and Britain’s Gambling Commission have warned operators to ensure they apply checks to comply with sanctions against Russia following its invasion of its neighbour.