French Authorities Bust $1.2B Illegal Gambling Ring

Authorities in France have dismantled what could be one of the largest gambling rings in the world. The criminal enterprise was exclusively focused on online gambling, and it is estimated at $1.2 billion.

This is the number of bets the organization has accepted since it was introduced in 2021, operating through a network of online casinos that were identified and tied together by investigators.

Two Men Brought to Justice, with Raids to Take Place Abroad

The main casino targeted in the raid includes Cresus Casino, but other companies were identified as well, including Casino-Prive, Lucky 8, Jackpot Bob, Olympe Casino, and more. According to investigators, apart from accepting wagers, the network was also engaged in other forms of criminal activity, including money laundering and advertising illegal products, including gambling.

In fact, a YouTube channel run by the network had reached 900,000 subscribers, an impressive number. What matters in this case is how fast the authorities managed to put the case together. Prosecutors and investigators worked to ensure that, since its discovery in July 2024, the ring and the people behind it have been identified and are now facing serious consequences.

Among the potential penalties are a decade-long prison sentence, as well as penalties estimated north of $875,000. The network was identified by the French Gambling Regulator, the ANJ, which discovered that the websites have been actively targeting French citizens as their main focus (about 98% of the total player base according to the regulator’s claims).

As to the culprits, two men have been arrested in the case. They have been charged with organizing prohibited gambling and operating as part of an organized gang on Thursday, October 9, by French police.

A Multi-Agency Response to One of the Largest Criminal Rings

However, authorities are not leaving the matter here as a cross-border response to the illegal gambling ring is being coordinated with authorities in Malta and Cyprus, and local law enforcement is set to investigate other locations and assets tied to the gambling ring.

While France spearheaded the investigation, it has been joined by more than a dozen European authorities, including the Central Office against Cybercrime (OFAC), the Dutch police, the Central Service against Prohibited Gambling (SCCJ), and many others.