THE HAGUE, 16 Oct. - (ANA) - Two individuals suspected of running several illegal online casino website have been charged and remanded in custody in France. Authorities were alerted of the website after victims came forward, complaining they were unable to withdraw their winnings. As some of the site managers were based in Cyprus, cross-border judicial cooperation through Eurojust was essential in uncovering the fraudulent activities. The cooperation helped identify the other companies involved in the illegal games that were offered to mostly French citizens.

 

Investigations into the companies behind the website revealed that the illegal gambling site generated nearly EUR 1 billion in turnover over the past five years. Despite repeated warnings from the French authorities and the persistent difficulties victims faced in withdrawing their winnings, the authorities suspected money laundering. Their investigations revealed fund transfers totalling more than €100 million between 2022 and 2025.

 

Given the cross-border nature of the online gambling site’s activities, cooperation between authorities was essential to dismantle the gambling organisation. The authorities met at Eurojust to discuss their findings and decide on the next steps. The judicial authorities and law enforcement of the countries concerned met at Eurojust to coordinate their actions. Searches in Cyprus and Malta, hearings, and asset freezes were ordered, and their implementation was facilitated by Eurojust's support.

 

On 9 October, two men were brought before an investigative judge in France and charged with organising prohibited gambling, operating as part of an organised gang, illegally offering online gaming and money laundering. They remain in pre-trial detention.

 

The following authorities carried out the investigations:

 

- France: PPO Paris JUNALCO (National Jurisdiction against Organised Crime), Central Service against prohibited gambling (SCCJ) and OFAC (Central Office against Cyber crime

 

- Belgium: Investigating Judge of the Brussels Court of First Instance; Public Prosecutor’s Office Brussels; Brussels Police

 

- Cyprus: Cyprus Police; MOKAS Anti-Money Laundering Unit; Office of the Attorney General

 

- Czechia: Municipal Prosecutor´s Office in Prague

 

- Lithuania: Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office

 

- Malta: Malta Police Force - Financial Crime Investigation Department.    - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/16 October 2025 - - -