Curaçao-Based Casino Network Bypasses UK GamStop in Guardian and Investigate Europe Exposé

A Joint Probe Shines Light on Hidden Operations

A collaborative investigation by The Guardian and Investigate Europe, published in early April 2026, has exposed a sprawling network of at least eight unlicensed online casinos targeting UK players; these platforms, including prominent names like MyStake, Velobet, and Goldenbet, operate under the umbrella of Santeda International, a company based in Curaçao, and connect directly to a group of Georgian businessmen such as Tornike Tvauri, Alexander Makashvili, and Mikheil Merebashvili.

What's interesting here is how these sites manage to slip through cracks in the UK's regulatory framework, particularly by sidestepping GamStop—the national self-exclusion service designed to help problem gamblers take a break from licensed operators; data from the probe reveals that between November 2025 and January 2026, these casinos drew an average of 2.3 million unique UK visitors each month, figures that underscore the scale of their reach despite lacking UK licenses.

Turns out, Santeda International holds a Curaçao eGaming license, a jurisdiction known for lighter oversight compared to stricter regimes elsewhere; observers note this setup allows the network to function offshore while aggressively marketing to British audiences through affiliates, SEO tactics, and promotions that promise big wins without the hurdles of domestic rules.

Key Players and Corporate Ties

At the heart of the operation sit those Georgian figures—Tornike Tvauri, Alexander Makashvili, and Mikheil Merebashvili—who link to Santeda via shared companies and directorships; public records show Tvauri as a director in multiple entities tied to the casinos, while Makashvili and Merebashvili appear in overlapping business filings from Georgia and Curaçao, painting a picture of coordinated control across borders.

And it's not just loose connections; the investigation uncovers shared IP addresses, identical backend software, and mirrored promotional campaigns across the eight sites, which together form what experts describe as a "vast casino network" evading detection; MyStake, for instance, boasts sleek slots and live dealer tables, Velobet focuses on sports betting alongside casino games, and Goldenbet pushes high-stakes poker variants—all unlicensed in the UK yet accessible via simple web searches or app downloads.

Here's where it gets interesting: these platforms mimic legitimate UK sites in design and user experience, complete with GBP deposits, English-language support, and bonuses tailored for British players, yet they operate beyond GamStop's reach since self-exclusion only applies to UK-licensed operators; people who've studied offshore gaming patterns often point out how this creates a loophole that's hard to plug without international cooperation.

Evading Self-Exclusion and Fueling Harm

GamStop, launched in 2018 as a free tool for UK gamblers to block themselves from all licensed sites for set periods, proves ineffective against these Curaçao outfits; self-excluded players simply sign up anew on MyStake or its siblings using minimal verification—often just an email—bypassing barriers that UK firms must enforce under law.

Data indicates this vulnerability hits hard; the probe cites analytics showing those 2.3 million monthly UK uniques included many who'd already opted into GamStop, with affiliate traffic funneled straight to unregulated lobbies packed with slots, roulette, and blackjack; researchers who've tracked similar networks, such as in reports from the EGR Global Curaçao eGaming analysis, highlight how lax KYC (know-your-customer) rules in Curaçao enable this, as operators face few penalties for ignoring foreign self-exclusion lists.

But here's the thing: the human cost emerges starkly in stories like that of Ollie Long, a 36-year-old from the UK whose January 2026 inquest ruled his suicide linked to gambling harm from these very sites; coroners noted Long, previously self-excluded via GamStop, had racked up losses on unlicensed platforms, a case that investigators flag as emblematic of broader risks when safeguards fail across borders.

Traffic Surge and Marketing Machine

Figures reveal the network's pull: 2.3 million unique UK visitors per month from late 2025 into early 2026, peaking during holiday seasons when gambling spikes; tools like Google Analytics proxies and third-party trackers exposed this influx, driven by SEO-optimized content ranking high for terms like "best non-GamStop casinos" and affiliate partnerships paying commissions on UK deposits.

Velobet, for example, ran ads promising "GamStop-free fun" on social media and forums, while Goldenbet offered welcome bonuses up to £5,000 equivalent in crypto or fiat, luring players frustrated with UK stake limits; observers who've monitored ad spends note millions poured into digital campaigns, outpacing smaller licensed rivals and creating a feedback loop of visibility and sign-ups.

So, while UK players chase jackpots on these sites—think progressive slots hitting six figures or live dealer tables with real-time bets—the absence of oversight means no deposit caps, no reality checks, and winnings paid out swiftly to keep engagement high; it's a model that's thrived in gray markets, as evidenced by similar patterns in Australia's gambling commissioner offshore report, though adapted here for European audiences.

Software Ties Cut and Industry Ripples

Upgaming, the Latvia-based software provider powering slots and live games on these platforms, moved quickly after the April 2026 revelations; company statements confirm they severed all ties with Santeda International, citing ethical concerns over unlicensed targeting of regulated markets like the UK.

This fallout sends ripples; affiliates promoting MyStake and kin face scrutiny, with some payment processors freezing accounts amid backlash, while Curaçao authorities—under pressure from EU probes—hint at reviews of Santeda's license, though enforcement remains spotty given the island's reputation for hands-off regulation.

People in the industry who've seen these cycles before know that software switches happen fast—Santeda could pivot to alternatives from Malta or Cyprus providers—but the exposé forces a moment of reckoning, spotlighting how interconnected the global gaming tech ecosystem really is.

Regulatory Echoes in April 2026

As of April 2026, calls grow louder for beefed-up measures; the UK Gambling Commission, responding to the Guardian piece, urges stronger tools against "hard-to-stop" offshore ops, including better affiliate crackdowns and international data-sharing pacts, yet implementation lags amid ongoing reforms.

Experts observing from bodies like the European Gaming and Betting Association note parallels to past scandals, where networks like this persisted until multi-jurisdictional task forces intervened; for now, UK players encounter pop-up warnings on some search engines flagging unlicensed sites, but access remains easy via VPNs or mirrors.

That said, the probe's timing coincides with EU-wide pushes for harmonized gambling rules, potentially pressuring Curaçao to tighten belts or risk blacklists; those who've followed the beat see this as a tipping point, where one high-profile case like Ollie's amplifies demands for change.

Conclusion

The Guardian and Investigate Europe investigation lays bare a Curaçao-Georgian casino network's bold bypass of UK GamStop, drawing millions of visitors and exacting real harm, as seen in Ollie Long's tragic end; with Upgaming's exit and regulatory murmurs in April 2026, the story underscores persistent challenges in policing digital borders, where offshore allure clashes with player protection efforts, leaving questions about next moves hanging in the balance.

Yet patterns suggest more revelations ahead, as watchdogs sharpen tools and networks adapt; for UK gamblers, the writing's on the wall—self-exclusion works domestically, but global gaps demand vigilance, with this exposé serving as a stark reminder of vulnerabilities in an always-on online landscape.