Guardian and Investigate Europe Uncover Santeda International's Offshore Casino Push into UK Market

A collaborative investigation by The Guardian and Investigate Europe has spotlighted Santeda International, a Curaçao-based operator lacking a UK license, which runs multiple online casinos including MyStake, Velobet, Goldenbet, and Rolletto; these platforms draw heavily from UK gamblers, even those enrolled in the GamStop self-exclusion scheme, while offering slots like Rise of Merlin and Golden Piggy alongside betting and casino games.

Launched in early April 2026, the report details how Santeda, tied to Georgian businessmen through software provider Upgaming AG, built a network that bypasses UK protections; Upgaming, based in Georgia, recently severed ties with Santeda amid the scrutiny, according to documents reviewed by the investigators.

What's notable here is the scale: data from Similarweb, cited in the probe, reveals 2.3 million monthly visits from UK IP addresses to these sites between November 2025 and January 2026, figures that underscore the pull despite regulatory walls.

GamStop, the UK's national self-exclusion tool, blocks access to licensed operators for registered users, yet Santeda's unlicensed platforms ignore it entirely; players who've signed up find MyStake or Rolletto wide open, with easy deposits via methods like cryptocurrencies or e-wallets that skirt traditional banking checks.

Take one case highlighted in the investigation: a self-excluded gambler accessed Velobet slots without hurdles, spinning reels on titles powered by Upgaming's software, which features high-volatility mechanics and bonus rounds designed to keep sessions going; observers note this setup exploits gaps in cross-border enforcement.

And it's not just slots; sports betting on Goldenbet covers UK Premier League matches, while Rolletto mixes casino tables with live dealer games, all tailored to English-speaking audiences with promotions promising deposit matches up to £500 or free spins packs.

Traffic analytics paint a clear picture, with UK visitors comprising a hefty chunk of Santeda's audience; from November 2025 through January 2026, those 2.3 million monthly hits broke down to heavy slot play on games like Rise of Merlin—featuring expanding wilds and free spin triggers—and Golden Piggy, known for its piggy bank collection bonuses that build toward jackpots.

Behind the scenes, Georgian businessmen linked Santeda to Upgaming AG, the Yerevan-headquartered firm supplying the backend tech; Upgaming's platform handles everything from game aggregation to payment processing, but following the April 2026 exposé, it announced a split, stating in a press release that it no longer supports Santeda's operations.

That said, the probe uncovered shared corporate trails, including overlapping directorships and server IPs routed through Curaçao, where licensing comes from the Government of Curaçao rather than stricter bodies; for context, the Curaçao eGaming framework emphasizes operator self-regulation, differing sharply from more prescriptive regimes elsewhere.

Evidence in the investigation points to darker sides, with complaints surfacing on forums and regulatory watchdogs about fraudulent practices; users reported delayed withdrawals, bonus terms twisted to void winnings, and accounts frozen after big slot hits on titles like those from Upgaming's library.

One particularly stark example involves a UK gambler linked to Rolletto, where mounting losses culminated in suicide, as detailed through coroner's records and family statements obtained by the reporters; this incident, tied to unchecked play on MyStake slots during a self-exclusion period, has amplified calls for accountability.

Harm metrics align with broader patterns: studies from the Responsible Gambling Council in Canada indicate offshore sites double the risk of problem gambling compared to licensed ones, since they lack tools like deposit limits or reality checks mandated in regulated markets.

In response to the April 2026 revelations, UK Members of Parliament have voiced urgency for tougher measures; figures like Labour's Carolyn Harris, a gambling reform advocate, urged the government to expand enforcement powers, potentially blocking payments to unlicensed operators and ramping up advertising bans.

MPs highlighted how Santeda's model—aggressive SEO, affiliate marketing via UK influencers, and mirror sites—evades current geo-blocks; one parliamentary question tabled in early April demanded data on enforcement actions against Curaçao entities, echoing frustrations over porous digital borders.

Yet enforcement remains tricky, as these platforms host on decentralized servers, shifting domains when pressured; experts who've tracked similar networks observe that while individual sites get hit, the operators pivot quickly, much like whack-a-mole.

Upgaming AG's decision to cut ties marks a tangible fallout, with the provider removing Santeda brands from its portfolio and notifying partners; still, cached pages and player forums show lingering access, suggesting backend integrations don't vanish overnight.

Georgian links add complexity, as Tbilisi-based firms navigate EU proximity rules; the probe's documents, including company registries from Curaçao and Georgia, trace ownership to figures with histories in high-risk fintech, raising flags on due diligence.

Players who've engaged report mixed experiences—quick wins on Velobet's bets, but payout snags on Goldenbet jackpots—fueling a cycle where initial thrills hook before barriers emerge.

The Guardian and Investigate Europe's April 2026 investigation into Santeda International exposes a persistent challenge in online gambling: offshore operators like those running MyStake, Velobet, Goldenbet, and Rolletto continue targeting UK audiences, drawing 2.3 million monthly visitors despite self-exclusion tools like GamStop, while links to fraud, player harm, and even a reported suicide underscore the stakes.

With Upgaming AG distancing itself and UK MPs pushing for regulatory muscle, the ball's now in lawmakers' court to close these gaps; data from traffic trackers and harm reports make clear that without coordinated action—perhaps mirroring efforts in places like Malta or Australia—these networks will keep finding ways in, leaving vulnerable players exposed to slots, bets, and unchecked play.