Lynnae is a journalist covering the intersection of technology, culture, and gambling. She has more than five years of experience as a writer and editor, with bylines at SlashGear and MakeUseOf. On the iGaming side,...
Read Full BioOn October 16, Eurojust announced that authorities in France had arrested two men in connection with a large-scale illegal online gambling network accused of laundering hundreds of millions of euros. Officials from France, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Lithuania, and Malta were involved in the takedown.
Eurojust coordinated the French-led multi-country investigation into the unlicensed platforms, which it says handled close to €1 billion in wagers over the past five years and targeted mostly French players.
According to the press release, the suspects allegedly ran several online casino platforms, where players could deposit and bet money but couldn’t withdraw their winnings.
The initial investigation into the scheme was triggered when victims reported the activity to French authorities, and it later expanded to include other European jurisdictions.
Because some of the website’s managers used Cyprus as a home base, investigators turned to Eurojust for cross-border judicial cooperation. However, Eurojust hasn’t named the specific platforms involved in the illegal gambling ring.
The agency played a critical role in helping authorities identify the network of companies and payment channels behind the illegal games.
The two men arrested in the illegal gambling ring were charged in France on October 9 with organizing prohibited gambling, operating as part of an organized gang, illegally offering online gaming, and money laundering. Both are being held in pre-trial detention.
The announcement came just a few days after the United States and United Kingdom took action against a $15 billion casino-linked cyberfraud network, with both countries imposing sanctions against the Prince Group.
Millions Laundered Through Complex Payment Channels
Eurojust said investigators were able to trace more than €100 million in fund transfers between 2022 and 2025.
French authorities issued multiple warnings, but the sites remained active. When the websites continued to operate, investigators began to suspect money laundering and organized criminal activity.
With Eurojust’s assistance, authorities in six countries carried out searches in Cyprus and Malta and froze assets. Law enforcement from the participating countries met at Eurojust, which is headquartered in The Hague, to coordinate their actions in the case.
The agency stated: “Given the cross-border nature of the online gambling site’s activities, cooperation between authorities was essential to dismantle the gambling organisation.”
Europe Tightens Oversight of Online Gambling
The Eurojust case comes as Europe continues its efforts to strengthen oversight of online gambling, both to protect consumers and put a stop to unregulated activity. Earlier this month, the European Gaming and Betting Association backed work on the first European standard for “markers of harm,” which will help operators identify signs of risky gambling behavior.
Meanwhile, Spain has started requiring online gambling operators to display tobacco-like warning labels, including statements like “gambling addiction is a risk” and “losses for all gamblers are four times greater than their winnings,” to encourage responsible gambling.
In May, the German Gambling Authority published a FAQ on its website clarifying that the term “online casino” only applies to operators offering table games, not platforms hosting virtual slots.
