WILLEMSTAD – A major international investigation into illegal online gambling targeting the United Kingdom is drawing renewed attention to the role of offshore gaming jurisdictions, including Curaçao, as regulators face increasing pressure to prevent the misuse of their licensing frameworks.
On December 18, the Gambling industry, Accreditation, Monitoring & Registration Service (GAMRS) published an investigative report exposing what it describes as a large-scale black-market gambling network centered around the unlicensed online casino brand MyStake and a group of associated platforms. The report estimates that the network generates billions of pounds annually, with a significant share of its revenue allegedly originating from UK consumers.
According to GAMRS, the network operates through offshore entities, including companies registered in the Caribbean, while its operational control and technical infrastructure are reportedly concentrated in Eastern Europe via the Upgaming / InPlayNet ecosystem.
Relevance for Curaçao
While the report does not allege wrongdoing by Curaçao’s regulator, the findings are relevant for Curaçao as one of the world’s most prominent online gambling licensing jurisdictions. Curaçao-issued licenses are frequently scrutinized by European regulators and financial authorities when offshore operators are accused of targeting restricted markets.
GAMRS estimates that approximately 64 percent of the network’s activity may originate from the UK, representing an estimated £2.0–£2.2 billion in annual turnover outside the UK’s regulated gambling system. The report warns that illegal operators often exploit gaps in global enforcement and supply-chain oversight to continue operating across borders.
Supplier and Compliance Risks
The investigation highlights the role of gambling software providers, payment processors, affiliate marketing networks, and hosting services in enabling unlicensed gambling operations to scale rapidly. According to GAMRS, weaknesses at the supplier level allow black-market operators to re-emerge even after enforcement action is taken against individual websites or brands.
For Curaçao, which has been implementing major reforms to its gambling supervision framework through the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), the case underscores the importance of robust enforcement, active monitoring, and international cooperation.
Regulatory Reform Under the Spotlight
Curaçao has in recent years moved to strengthen its regulatory regime, including tighter licensing conditions, enhanced AML requirements, and closer cooperation with international partners. Industry observers note that high-profile investigations such as the GAMRS report place additional pressure on offshore regulators to demonstrate that their licenses are not being used to facilitate illegal gambling or consumer harm abroad.
The report calls for a “whole-system” enforcement approach, including cross-border intelligence sharing and increased scrutiny of global gambling supply chains — measures that align with Curaçao’s stated goal of improving its international standing as a compliant and responsible gaming jurisdiction.
Broader Implications
The findings are also relevant to ongoing international discussions on anti-money laundering, sanctions enforcement, and the flow of illicit funds through offshore financial structures. As global regulators intensify scrutiny, jurisdictions such as Curaçao face growing expectations to act swiftly against license holders or intermediaries linked to illegal market activity.
For Curaçao, the challenge remains balancing its role as a major gaming hub with the need to maintain credibility, transparency, and compliance in an increasingly tightly regulated global environment.