An offshore gambling network targeting UK customers has shut down two of its main companies just ahead of an investigative report, intensifying fears about the offshore sector's transparency and accountability.
An offshore gambling network that has drawn scrutiny for targeting British customers has shut down two of its central companies just days before an investigative report on the group is due to appear. According to reporting by Newsnet5 and GamblingNews, Santeda International B.V. and GTW B.V. have both ceased operating, a move that has intensified concern about how easily offshore betting businesses can dissolve one legal shell while leaving their websites and customer activity in place.
The forthcoming report, from GAMRS and Deal Me Out, is said to examine a web of brands including MyStake, GoldenBet, DonBet and Rolletto. Previous findings published in late 2025 by GAMRS and later discussed by other industry outlets described a structure that processed billions of pounds in bets from UK users without proper authorisation, with core control and technical functions concentrated across multiple jurisdictions rather than in one clearly accountable company.
That wider picture has been reinforced by separate reporting from Curaçao Chronicle, which said Santeda International B.V. was formally dissolved on 9 April 2026 but remained linked to active gambling sites continuing to take deposits. The report raised fresh questions about oversight in Curaçao, especially where licensed brands appear to keep operating after the corporate entity behind them has been removed from the registry.
Tribuna has also reported that the parent operation moved several brands, including MyStake, Donbet, Goldenbet and Velobet, onto a new offshore licence structure after scrutiny increased. Taken together, the accounts suggest a familiar pattern in the black-market gambling sector: when one structure comes under pressure, operations are shifted, renamed or reassembled elsewhere rather than being shut down in practice.
The result, investigators and industry observers say, is a marketplace in which consumers may have little realistic recourse. Even when the companies behind a brand disappear from official records, the betting sites can remain live, leaving players with no obvious responsible counterparty if winnings are withheld or deposits go missing. The report’s publication, after a brief delay linked to legal correspondence from a UK law firm, is now expected to add momentum to calls for tougher action against offshore operators and the infrastructure providers that support them.
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Inspired by headline at: [1]
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on May 4, 2026, reporting on events that occurred in April 2026. The earliest known publication date of similar content is April 27, 2026, from MrWager.com, which lists Santeda International B.V. as operating six active brands. ([mrwager.com](https://mrwager.com/company/santeda-international-bv-casinos/?utm_source=openai)) The GamblingNews article, dated May 4, 2026, discusses the shutdown of Santeda International B.V. and GTW B.V. ahead of a report release. The Newsnet5 article aligns with these reports, indicating that the narrative is fresh and not recycled. However, the MrWager.com article is a commercial site that may not be a primary news source.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes attributed to GAMRS and Deal Me Out, as well as references to previous findings published in late 2025. However, the specific wording of these quotes cannot be independently verified through the provided sources. The lack of accessible original sources for these quotes raises concerns about their authenticity.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The primary source, Newsnet5, is a news outlet that appears to focus on gambling-related content. While it provides citations to other sources, such as GamblingNews and Curaçao Chronicle, the credibility of these sources is uncertain. The GamblingNews article is dated May 4, 2026, and discusses the shutdown of Santeda International B.V. and GTW B.V. ahead of a report release. The Curaçao Chronicle article, dated April 9, 2026, reports on the dissolution of Santeda International B.V. and its continued operation of gambling sites. ([oozo.nl](https://www.oozo.nl/insolventies/deventer/colmschate-zuid/handelspark-de-weteringen/faillissement/1958366/rhinetex-europe-b-v?utm_source=openai)) The Newsnet5 article aligns with these reports, but the overall reliability of these sources is questionable due to their niche focus and potential biases.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article reports on the shutdown of Santeda International B.V. and GTW B.V. ahead of an investigative report, which is plausible given the context of regulatory scrutiny in the offshore gambling industry. However, the lack of independent verification of the quotes and the reliance on potentially biased sources raise questions about the accuracy of the claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article reports on the shutdown of Santeda International B.V. and GTW B.V. ahead of an investigative report, citing sources such as GamblingNews and Curaçao Chronicle. However, the specific wording of quotes cannot be independently verified, and the reliance on potentially biased sources raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the information presented. Given these issues, the content does not meet the necessary standards for publication.
