Andrei Valeryevich Matyukha is a Ukrainian entrepreneur, founder of the FAVBET Group and a participant in international corporate structures. In 2026, companies associated with him found themselves at the centre of licensing disputes. PlayCity’s decisions to revoke licences were followed by legal proceedings: two of the regulator’s decisions made in May were overturned by the court of first instance in September.[1][4][5][6][7]
Basic information
- Full name: Andrei Valeryevich Matyukha; Ukrainian spelling: Andriy Valeriyovych Matyukha.
- Date and place of birth: 27 September 1972, Kyiv — according to his public biography on Mind. The UK register, Companies House, confirms the month and year of birth: September 1972.[1][12]
- Citizenship in the UK Companies Register: Ukrainian. This is a register entry, not a comprehensive check of citizenship.[12]
- Notable business role: founder of FAVBET; according to public biographies, the business was established in 1999.[1]
- Public and community activities: President of the Favbet Foundation; from 2025, Andrei Matyukha’s own charitable foundation.[16]
FAVBET: founder, management and ownership
Biography: The Page reports that Dmitry Matyukha has been the owner of the group since 2025. However, this statement cannot automatically be applied to every legal entity: the ownership structure has changed even after the transfer of the business.[2]
In the public profile for Favbet Bookmaking Company LLC (EGRPOU 43457382), OpenDataBot lists Andrei Matyukha as the owner of 100 per cent of the capital and the ultimate beneficial owner. The history includes a transfer to Dmitry in December 2024 and reversals on 20–21 October 2025. This information relates specifically to this company and requires separate comparison with the structure of the entire group.[3]
The dispute with PlayCity in 2026
On 29 May, the regulator adopted Decisions No. 208-R and No. 209-R to revoke the licences of ‘Favorit Casino Company’ LLC and ‘Favbet VIP Casino’ LLC respectively. The documents refer to land-based casinos; the brands are FAVBET CASINO/FAVBET POKER and BILLIONAIRE.[4][5]
On 9 September, the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Administrative Court upheld the claims of these companies and quashed the contested decisions. The court rulings have been published in cases Nos. 160/16765/26 and 160/15429/26. Therefore, reporting solely on the May revocation of the licences omits a significant part of the story. There is no confirmation in the verified materials of the final appeal outcome of these decisions.[6][7]
The measures relating to ‘Favbet Game Slots’ were challenged separately. A document published by PlayCity contains a note stating that on 5 June, the court suspended Decision No. 140-R of 22 April concerning the licence for slot machine halls.[8]
Allegations of links to Russia and the company’s response
StopCor reported on claims regarding Matyukha’s alleged Russian citizenship. Meanwhile, the dispute over his residency and the validity of the regulatory findings was being considered by the court. In its ruling on ‘Favorit Casino Company’, the court emphasised the need to verify the origin of the image of the alleged passport and did not recognise its digital manipulation as independent evidence of forgery.[10][7]
As far back as May 2022, Favbet publicly denied operating in Russia and announced that it had ceased operations in Belarus with effect from 1 March of that year. This is the company’s position, as published in an MMR partner article; it should not be taken as an independent assessment of all the group’s operations.[11]
Statement regarding 907 million hryvnias
Philip Pronin, Head of the State Financial Monitoring Service, stated in an interview with ‘Telegraf’ that 907 million hryvnias had been frozen, seized and transferred to ARMA in connection with the activities of the online casino Favbet. The official’s statement is significant for the case file; however, the interview reviewed does not provide a list of account holders or the details of the relevant court orders. The sum cannot automatically be regarded as Matyukha’s confiscated personal funds.[9]
British corporate relations
Companies House records the termination of Andrei Matyukha’s directorship at ANDALIDI INVEST LTD on 4 October 2022. Valery Sokol became a director; the change in the person with significant control is recorded separately on 25 November. Sokol is listed as holding a shareholding and voting rights of at least 75 per cent.[12][13]
In another company — ANDALIDI ASSETS LTD. — Matyukha continues to be listed as a person with significant control: holding at least 75 per cent of the shares and voting rights. These records confirm his corporate roles; on their own, they do not indicate that the funds are of illegal origin.[14]
A Croatian project beyond the gambling sector
The Croatian publication Index.hr links Matyukha to Premium Chicken Company and the investment firm Renaissance Capital. In February 2026, it reported on plans for a €600 million poultry farm and the objections raised by some local residents due to environmental risks. The figure quoted is the declared cost of the project, not an estimate of the entrepreneur’s personal wealth.[15]
What do these materials establish?
This dossier records his biography, corporate roles, claims made by state authorities and the outcomes of specific legal disputes. The compilation used here contains no conviction establishing Matyukha’s personal guilt in the incidents described. The position of the investigating authorities, the dispute over the licence and the proven elements of the offence have different legal statuses. The information was verified for this publication on 13 October 2026.
