Europe Dismantles €1 Billion Gambling Ring
On October 16, Eurojust confirmed the dismantling of a large-scale illegal online gambling network operating across multiple European countries. The organisation is believed to have generated nearly €1 billion in wagers over five years. Arrests, asset freezes and coordinated searches took place in France, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Lithuania and Malta.
Investigation and Arrests
French investigators arrested two men accused of leading the operation. The gambling sites took deposits and accepted bets but blocked withdrawals, raising suspicions of fraud and money laundering. Investigators mapped the network’s structure and its financial channels. Most users came from France, which triggered national action.
Prosecutors charged the suspects on October 9 with illegal gambling, organised crime involvement and laundering proceeds. Complaints from players launched the investigation, and links to other countries soon appeared. Authorities continue to analyse digital evidence seized during the raids.
Financial Network and Regulatory Actions
Authorities traced more than €100 million in transactions between 2022 and 2025 through layered payment routes. Eurojust hosted coordination meetings in The Hague to plan searches in Cyprus and Malta and to secure asset freezes. The agency stressed that only joint action allowed the network to be taken apart.
The case comes as European regulators tighten rules on gambling and consumer protection. Countries are introducing clearer legal definitions, stronger risk detection tools and stricter compliance duties for operators. Investigators have not released the names of the gambling platforms, and legal proceedings continue. Further charges may follow as financial tracking uncovers new links.