LONDON – A large international network of illegal online casinos reaching millions of gamblers in the United Kingdom is operating through structures involving Curaçao, according to an investigation by The Guardian.
The report states that several gambling websites are offering services to UK players without a valid local license, yet continue to attract significant traffic. These platforms reportedly target vulnerable individuals, including those registered with GamStop, a system designed to help people block themselves from gambling activities.
Curaçao licensed online gambling
One of the companies identified in the investigation is Santeda International, which is said to operate using a license issued under Curaçao’s framework. Such licensing arrangements allow operators to function outside stricter regulatory environments while still accessing players in heavily regulated markets like the United Kingdom.
According to the findings, the network relies on complex international corporate structures and technical infrastructure spread across multiple jurisdictions. This makes it difficult for authorities to trace ownership and accountability. In some cases, the investigation alleges the use of fictitious or manipulated identities to conceal the individuals behind the operations.
The impact on users is described as significant, with reports of substantial financial losses and difficulties in withdrawing winnings from these platforms.
The revelations have prompted calls from British politicians for stricter enforcement and improved international cooperation to address cross-border gambling operations that bypass national regulations.
The findings also place renewed scrutiny on Curaçao’s role in the global online gambling sector. The island has long faced criticism over its regulatory framework and the level of oversight applied to license holders.
As international pressure increases, the case is likely to intensify ongoing debates about reforms to Curaçao’s gambling system and the need for stronger controls to prevent misuse of its licensing regime.