Exposed: The Vast Illegal Casino Empire Using AI Fake CEO to Target UK Gamblers
An extensive investigation has uncovered a sophisticated network of illegal online casinos that is systematically targeting vulnerable gamblers in the United Kingdom while operating from opaque offshore jurisdictions. The network, which generates substantial profits for offshore tycoons, employs artificial intelligence to create a completely fabricated chief executive as a decoy to conceal the true identities behind the operation.
The Phantom CEO: Andres Markou
At first glance, Andres Markou appears to be the golden boy of the digital gambling world. The youthful, impeccably groomed chief executive of MyStake has been photographed shaking hands with Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho, collecting industry awards, and offering visionary insights in interviews. However, there is one critical problem: Andres Markou does not exist.
Analysis by deepfake detection specialists has concluded that images of Markou are either AI-generated or heavily manipulated. A source close to Ronaldinho confirmed the supposed meeting never occurred, and Markou's name appears on no corporate filings linked to the gambling network. This phantom CEO serves as a sophisticated decoy, deflecting attention from the real individuals orchestrating the illegal operation.
The Santeda Network: A Web of Illegal Casinos
The investigation reveals that MyStake is just one component of a sprawling international gambling empire operating under the umbrella of Santeda International. This network includes at least eight apparently connected casino brands—including Velobet, Goldenbet, and Rolletto—all easily accessible to UK gamblers via mobile devices or computers, and all operating without the required Gambling Commission license.
Collectively, these illegal casinos attracted an average of 2.3 million monthly unique visitors from the UK between November 2025 and January 2026, according to web traffic analysis. Operating from jurisdictions like the Caribbean island of Curaçao, they bypass legal obligations to protect addicts and prevent money laundering, creating significant risks for vulnerable gamblers.
Exploiting Vulnerable Gamblers
The illegal casinos appear to derive particular benefit from gamblers attempting to quit. They prominently feature on "affiliate" websites advertising casinos not restricted by GamStop, the UK's self-exclusion scheme. Dozens of these affiliates have emerged in recent years, capitalizing on search phrases like "Not on GamStop" to direct vulnerable individuals toward unregulated gambling options.
One gambler, identified as Margaret in her 50s, described how she turned to Goldenbet after self-excluding from licensed sites. "I was hooked quickly and it was a very fast decline after that," she reported, ultimately losing approximately £23,000. The human cost extends beyond financial harm, with an inquest recently ruling that unlicensed operators contributed to the circumstances leading to a 36-year-old man's suicide.
The Georgian Connection
The digital trail from Santeda leads to a Swiss-based business called Upgaming AG and a group of Georgian businessmen who appear to be quietly accumulating substantial wealth. Corporate documents and internet domain registrations suggest connections between Upgaming, its chief executive Tornike Tvauri, and the Santeda network, though Upgaming's lawyers deny any operational involvement.
Shortly after being contacted by investigators, Upgaming claimed to have severed all ties with Santeda, citing concerns about Santeda's "unregulated footprint in restricted jurisdictions." However, publicly available documents raise questions about these developments and Upgaming's historical role in the network.
From Casino Profits to Real Estate Development
The financial benefits from the illegal gambling operation appear to be flowing into substantial real estate investments in Georgia. Corporate records show that individuals connected to Upgaming are investing heavily in developments including the Autograph Mall in Tbilisi, with Upgaming's Cypriot entity extending loans worth at least €6.5 million to the development company.
Meanwhile, the UK bears the economic cost of gambling harm, estimated between £1 billion and £2 billion annually. Despite additional funding for the Gambling Commission to tackle illicit sites, regulators have achieved only modest success in disrupting the Santeda network's operations.
Regulatory Challenges and Calls for Action
Labour MP Alex Ballinger has accused such sites of deliberately targeting vulnerable people attempting to stop gambling and called for urgent regulatory action. The sheer number of illegal casinos makes them easy for gamblers to find but difficult for regulators to stop effectively.
The Gambling Commission is due to receive new powers allowing it to apply for court orders to suspend websites' domains and IP addresses. However, it remains unclear when these measures will be implemented and how effectively they can prevent funds from flowing into illegal casinos and onward to offshore investments.
The investigation reveals a sophisticated international operation exploiting regulatory gaps and technological advancements to profit from vulnerable UK gamblers while concealing the true identities behind the enterprise through artificial intelligence and complex corporate structures.
