Unlicensed European casinos exposed in misleading celebrity partnership scam
A network of unlicensed online casinos has been exposed for operating across Europe with misleading marketing tactics. Investigations reveal ties to high-profile names, including false claims of partnerships with Leeds United and football legend Ronaldinho. Both parties have denied any involvement with the sites in question.
The investigation uncovered that platforms like Velobet, Mystake, and Goldenbet were running without valid local gambling licences. Most of these sites are owned by Santeda International, a company licensed under the Curacao Government—a jurisdiction not recognised by many European regulators. Authorities in France, Italy, Poland, Greece, and Sweden have already blacklisted these operators for failing to meet legal standards.
Further scrutiny showed deeper connections between Upgaming and the casino operators than initially believed. Santeda was found operating under the name 'Onyxion', while a Malta-based firm linked to Upgaming’s CEO, Tornike Tvauri, had previously been fined €5 million by Spain for unlicensed gambling activities. The lack of proper licensing also means these sites bypass key consumer protections, such as responsible gaming measures and anti-money laundering safeguards. Upgaming cut ties with Santeda in late March following the investigation. The network had been associated with at least eight unlicensed casinos targeting European players, raising concerns over regulatory compliance and player safety.
The exposed operations highlight gaps in cross-border gambling enforcement. Without proper oversight, players remain vulnerable to unregulated practices. Regulators continue to monitor the situation as the investigation into these sites progresses.
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