Exposed: Curaçao Casino Network Luring UK Players Past GamStop Barriers

A joint investigation by the Guardian and Investigate Europe has spotlighted a sprawling network of at least eight unlicensed online casinos, including prominent names like MyStake, Velobet, and Goldenbet; these platforms, run by Santeda International out of Curaçao, connect directly to Georgian businessmen such as Tornike Tvauri, Alexander Makashvili, and Mikheil Merebashvili, and they cleverly sidestep UK self-exclusion tools like GamStop, drawing in an average of 2.3 million unique UK visitors each month from November 2025 through January 2026.

What's interesting here is how these sites operate in plain sight yet remain largely out of reach for UK regulators; Santeda International holds a Curaçao license, which experts note often proves insufficient against stricter European standards, allowing the platforms to offer unrestricted access to players who've opted into self-exclusion schemes elsewhere.

Data from the probe reveals the scale: those 2.3 million monthly UK users flocked to games ranging from slots to sports betting, fueling revenues that observers link to heightened gambling harm, since the sites ignore GamStop's central barrier designed to protect vulnerable individuals across licensed UK operators.

Tornike Tvauri emerges as a key figure, with ties to multiple entities under Santeda; Alexander Makashvili and Mikheil Merebashvili appear alongside him in company records, steering operations that span Europe while basing the headquarters in Curaçao, a jurisdiction known for its lax oversight compared to bodies like the Malta Gaming Authority, which enforces rigorous player protection rules.

These businessmen, through Santeda, manage a web of brands that share backend tech and payment processors; MyStake, for instance, boasts flashy promotions targeting UK punters, Velobet leans into sports wagering with high-odds offers, and Goldenbet mixes casino classics with live dealer action, all while evading GamStop's block by operating outside UK jurisdiction.

And here's the thing: the network extends beyond these three, encompassing at least five more sites that mirror the same playbook, using mirror domains and VPN-friendly setups to keep UK traffic flowing steadily, even as domestic laws tighten.

GamStop, launched to create a unified self-exclusion database for UK players, blocks access on licensed sites; but these offshore operators don't participate, so excluded gamblers slip right through, landing on platforms packed with deposit bonuses, free spins, and rapid withdrawals that keep the action going unchecked.

Figures from the investigation paint a stark picture: 2.3 million unique visitors monthly underscores the pull, especially since UK ad restrictions push players toward unregulated corners of the web; researchers who've tracked similar networks observe that such sites often ramp up marketing via affiliates and social media, zeroing in on those searching for "non-GamStop casinos."

Tragically, this loophole contributes to real harm; take the case of Ollie Long, a 36-year-old whose January 2026 inquest ruled his suicide linked to gambling losses on one of these platforms, highlighting how easy access spirals into addiction when safeguards fail.

People who've studied self-exclusion schemes note that while GamStop covers about 80% of the UK market through licensed operators, the remaining 20%—often offshore like Santeda's—poses the biggest risk, since players in crisis find doors wide open.

Upgaming, the software provider powering many of these sites' backends, moved quickly after the revelations hit in April 2026; the company announced it had cut all ties with Santeda International, a move that disrupts the network's tech foundation although mirror sites and alternative providers could keep things running short-term.

Turns out, Upgaming's platforms handled everything from game aggregation to payment integration; severing this link forces Santeda to scramble, yet observers point out that Curaçao-licensed operators frequently pivot to other suppliers, maintaining uptime amid scrutiny.

Similar patterns play out globally; for example, the Australian Communications and Media Authority blocks thousands of offshore sites yearly, but new ones pop up, mirroring the cat-and-mouse dynamic now facing UK players.

Calls for tougher measures echo from industry watchers and harm prevention groups; although specifics avoid direct UK Gambling Commission mentions, the probe underscores gaps in cross-border enforcement, with experts advocating for expanded blacklists, ISP blocks, and international cooperation to target Curaçao and similar hubs.

One study from the European Gaming and Betting Association highlights how unlicensed sites siphon 15-20% of European gambling spend, often at the expense of regulated markets; in the UK context, those 2.3 million visitors translate to billions in wagers bypassing taxes and protections.

But here's where it gets interesting: Curaçao's government has pledged reforms to its licensing amid global pressure, tightening rules on operators targeting restricted markets; whether this reins in Santeda remains to be seen, since past efforts often lag behind tech-savvy networks.

Those who've followed offshore gambling note that Georgian-linked operations frequently route through multiple jurisdictions, complicating shutdowns; Tvauri, Makashvili, and Merebashvili's involvement adds a layer, as their business footprints span Eastern Europe to the Caribbean.

Networks like Santeda's aren't isolated; they thrive on GamStop's very existence, marketing explicitly as "exclusion-free" zones, which pulls in frustrated players seeking alternatives; data indicates UK traffic to such sites surged 25% post-GamStop rollout, per traffic analytics cited in the probe.

Ollie Long's story resonates widely: the inquest detailed how he, self-excluded via GamStop, still wagered heavily on MyStake equivalents, accruing debts that led to despair; coroners ruled it a direct contributor, prompting families and advocates to demand action.

And while Upgaming's exit stings, affiliates continue promoting the brands via SEO and influencers; one researcher tracked over 500 UK-focused review sites steering traffic to these platforms, underscoring the promotional machine at play.

It's noteworthy that visitor numbers held steady through winter 2025-2026, dipping only slightly amid holiday slowdowns; this resilience shows deep entrenchment, with mobile apps and crypto payments sealing the deal for seamless play.

The Guardian and Investigate Europe's April 2026 exposé lays bare a persistent threat: Santeda International's eight-plus casinos, helmed by Georgian figures like Tvauri, Makashvili, and Merebashvili, rake in millions of UK visits monthly by dodging GamStop, amplifying harms as seen in Ollie Long's tragic end; Upgaming's split offers a crack in the armor, yet the network's adaptability signals ongoing challenges, with stronger global pacts emerging as the likely path forward to shield players effectively.

Observers watch closely as Curaçao reforms unfold and enforcement evolves; for now, the 2.3 million figure stands as a stark reminder of loopholes that demand closing, ensuring self-exclusion works across borders, not just within them.