A long-established Russian-founded sportsbook that exited the UK in 2022 amid geopolitical conflict concerns
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Pros
- Nearly three decades of sportsbook experience since 1997
- Historically deep sports markets and competitive odds
- Regulated presence in Spain, Denmark, Italy and Nigeria's Edo State
- Established brand with a long operating history
Cons
- Surrendered its UK Gambling Commission licence and exited the UK in April 2022
- Now operates under a lower-tier Curacao licence rather than top-tier regulation
- Russian corporate origins raise geopolitical trust considerations
- Payment method details not fully confirmed in available research
- The Curacao credential recorded for this brand comes from the master/sub-licence system abolished on 1 January 2025 - check for a current direct licence on the Curacao Gaming Authority register
Our verdict
Marathonbet has a long history as a well-regarded sportsbook, founded in Russia in 1997 and moving online in 2002, historically known for deep sports markets and competitive odds. However, its trust profile has weakened significantly: after entering the UK in 2015, Marathonbet surrendered its UK Gambling Commission licence and shut down its UK website entirely in April 2022, explicitly citing 'events in Europe' — widely understood as a reference to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the brand's Russian corporate origins. It now operates under a Curacao eGaming licence, a considerably lower regulatory tier, alongside licences in Spain, Denmark, Italy, Belarus and Nigeria's Edo State. This is a real, documented shift away from top-tier regulation that should factor heavily into any trust assessment. If you're in one of its currently supported markets and comfortable with the geopolitical context and Curacao-tier regulation, the underlying sportsbook product remains competent — but the 2022 UK exit is a significant red flag worth knowing about.
How we rated it
Sportsbook & odds (25%)8
Historically well-regarded for deep sports markets and competitive odds, backed by nearly three decades of operating experience.
Bonuses & value (15%)7
Competitive offers within its current supported markets.
Mobile & UX (10%)6.8
Established product across its remaining markets, though reduced in scope since the 2022 UK exit.
Customer support (10%)6.8
Long operating history since 1997, though the 2022 market exit signals real operational disruption.
Payments & payouts (20%)6.5
Payment method details not fully confirmed in available research — worth checking directly on the operator's local site.
Trust & licensing (20%)4.5
Currently operates under a Curacao eGaming licence after surrendering its UK Gambling Commission licence and shutting down its UK operation in April 2022, citing 'events in Europe' amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict — a significant, documented trust and geopolitical-risk factor given its Russian corporate roots. Context on the licence rather than the operator: the Curacao credential recorded here comes from the master/sub-licence system abolished on 1 January 2025 under the LOK. That is a change in the jurisdiction, not a finding against this brand, so it does not move the score - but it does mean a "Curacao licensed" claim should be re-checked against the Curacao Gaming Authority register rather than taken from a footer. That is worth something under the post-LOK regime, where the Authority has been rejecting close to 38 percent of direct applications. Curacao licence OGL/2024/648/0172, held by Panbet Curacao N.V., appears on the Authority's register of 15 July 2026 with no adverse status flag (expiry: October 14, 2026).
Quick facts
| Curacao licence | OGL/2024/648/0172 (Panbet Curacao N.V.) - issued April 14, 2026, expiry October 14, 2026 - status 'Active (no flag)' per the CGA register of 15 July 2026 |
| Founded | 1997, in Russia; online since 2002; entered UK 2015 |
| Owner | Panbet N.V. (Curacao) |
| Licensing | Curacao eGaming (current); previously UK Gambling Commission (surrendered 2022); also Spain (DGOJ), Denmark, Italy, Belarus, Edo State Nigeria |
| Regulatory history | Shut down UK operations April 2022, citing 'events in Europe' amid Russia-Ukraine conflict |
| Sports | Historically deep sports markets and competitive odds |
| Casino | Casino product alongside the sportsbook |
| Markets | Historically strong in Russia/CIS; expanded to Spain, Italy; UK market exited 2022 |
| Notable | Nearly three decades of operating history, but with a significant 2022 disruption |
How we verified this
Marathonbet currently operates under a Curacao eGaming licence plus regulated presence in Spain (DGOJ), Denmark, Italy, Belarus and Edo State, Nigeria. It surrendered its UK Gambling Commission licence and shut down its UK website in April 2022, citing 'events in Europe' amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict — a real trust and geopolitical-risk consideration given its Russian origins. Its welcome bonus varies by country and currency; confirm the current offer on Marathonbet's own local site. Curacao note: the master/sub-licence system this brand's recorded credential came from was abolished on 1 January 2025 under the LOK, legacy sub-licences and orange seals have expired, and the Curacao Gaming Authority now licenses operators directly. We are not asserting this operator is unlicensed - many hold new direct licences - only that the credential we recorded is from a wound-up system and current status should be checked on the CGA register. CURACAO LICENCE: OGL/2024/648/0172, held by Panbet Curacao N.V., issued April 14, 2026, expiry October 14, 2026, status 'Active (no flag)' on the Curacao Gaming Authority register of 15 July 2026.
Where Marathonbet is licensed
Marathonbet appears on the official register in 7 countries. Highlighted countries have a full local review — pick yours for its welcome bonus and licence details.
About Marathonbet
Marathonbet is a sportsbook and casino founded in 1997 in Russia, moving online in 2002 and entering the UK market in 2015. It is operated by Panbet N.V. (Curacao). In April 2022, Marathonbet surrendered its UK Gambling Commission licence and shut down its UK website entirely, citing 'events in Europe' — widely understood as a reference to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the brand's Russian corporate roots. It now operates under a Curacao eGaming licence, alongside regulated presence in Spain, Denmark, Italy, Belarus and Edo State, Nigeria. Historically, Marathonbet was well-regarded for its deep sports markets and competitive odds, built up over nearly three decades of operating experience.
Marathonbet FAQ
What is this site's Curacao licence status?
Licence OGL/2024/648/0172, held by Panbet Curacao N.V., issued April 14, 2026, expiry October 14, 2026. The Curacao Gaming Authority's register last updated 15 July 2026 records it as 'Active (no flag)'. Reading the register: Curacao issues many licences on six-month terms, and a lapsed term does not mean an operator is unlicensed - the register's STATUS column marks most of those 'Assessment in progress', meaning a renewal is being worked through. Some entries carry no end date at all and are recorded as indefinite. Judging by the dates alone, in either direction, gets it wrong. We are stating this precisely because we got it wrong earlier today: a parsing error made us attach another company's licence data to several brands, including telling readers that six operators held expired licences. None of the brands we checked is marked Expired. That claim has been removed and the scores restored.
Is Marathonbet safe and legit?
Marathonbet currently operates under a Curacao eGaming licence after surrendering its UK Gambling Commission licence and shutting down its UK operation in April 2022, citing 'events in Europe' amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This is a significant, documented shift away from top-tier regulation worth weighing carefully.
Why did Marathonbet leave the UK?
Marathonbet shut down its UK website in April 2022, citing 'events in Europe' — widely understood to reference the Russia-Ukraine conflict, given the brand's Russian corporate origins.
Which countries does Marathonbet operate in?
Marathonbet currently holds regulated presence in Spain, Denmark, Italy, Belarus and Edo State, Nigeria, alongside its Curacao eGaming licence.
How long has Marathonbet been operating?
Marathonbet was founded in 1997 in Russia and moved online in 2002, giving it nearly three decades of operating history, though with a significant disruption when it exited the UK market in 2022.
What is the Marathonbet welcome bonus?
Marathonbet offers a welcome bonus that varies by market. Always check the current offer on Marathonbet's own local site.
Is a Curacao licence still worth anything after the 2025 reform?
The Curacao system this brand's licence came from no longer exists, and that is worth understanding before you read any 'Curacao licensed' claim. Curacao passed the National Ordinance on Games of Chance - the LOK - which came into force on 24 DECEMBER 2024 and replaced a framework dating from 1993. Under the old system a handful of master licence holders issued SUB-LICENCES to hundreds of operators, which is where numbers like 8048/JAZ and names like Antillephone come from. That master licence system was ABOLISHED ON 1 JANUARY 2025, the legacy sub-licences have expired, and the transitional 'orange seal' permissions expired permanently on 15 OCTOBER 2025. Since 1 January 2026 operators must also meet physical presence requirements on the island. Licences are now issued DIRECTLY by the Curacao Gaming Authority, whose register showed more than 330 active licences in early 2026 - and it is refusing a meaningful share of applicants, having approved 87 of roughly 140 direct applications by April 2026, a rejection rate near 38 percent. WHAT THIS DOES AND DOES NOT TELL YOU ABOUT THIS SITE: it does NOT mean this operator is unlicensed. Many have moved to direct CGA licences. It means the specific credential we originally recorded belongs to a system that has been wound up, so if licensing matters to your decision, check the operator's current entry on the Curacao Gaming Authority register rather than trusting a sub-licence number in a website footer.