How a global gambling empire used Ireland to exploit addicts
Investigators expose how Soft2Bet used Ireland to funnel unlicensed gambling profits, exploiting addicts across Europe.Summary
A year‑long investigation by Investigate Europe, The Irish Times and 15 other outlets uncovered that Soft2Bet, a global gambling software provider, funneled hundreds of millions of euros from unlicensed casinos into Ireland, using the country as a conduit for profits and to target vulnerable players. The company operated a network of shell entities—such as Araxio Development, Rabidi, and several Irish‑registered firms like Zentoria, Salvia and Sky Rain—that held remote bookmaking licences while running offshore sites in jurisdictions such as Curaçao and the Marshall Islands. These sites bypassed age verification, delayed payouts and repeatedly re‑opened accounts of players who had closed them for addiction, a practice confirmed by former staff. Victims, including Austrian gambler Stefan and UK mother Rebecca, lost hundreds of thousands of euros and suffered severe financial and emotional harm. Irish regulators, newly empowered by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, have begun to scrutinise remote betting licences, but the investigation shows that Soft2Bet’s structure allows it to move money swiftly across borders, complicating enforcement and leaving many players exposed.
(Source：The Irish Times)