Ireland Targets 145 Gambling Sites After Soft2Bet Files

A list of 145 gambling websites has landed with Ireland’s new regulator. Its investigators now have to work out which sites took Irish customers and who was behind them.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland said it is reviewing every website named in the reporting. Where it finds evidence of illegal gambling, the cases may move to enforcement. GRAI said it is prepared to use its full legal powers against operators working outside the licensing system.

Regulator Moves From Licensing to Investigation

The move comes after reporting by The Irish Times, Investigate Europe, and an international group of media partners. As a result of that work, reporters linked the websites to Soft2Bet and its partners through leaked files, corporate records, and internal company material.

The reporting alleged that some of the sites accepted wagers from Irish customers without an Irish license. Leaked payment records showed that two Cyprus-based companies channeled €600 million to Soft2Bet and its partners between May 2020 and May 2024. Soft2Bet denied wrongdoing and said the reporting presented an incorrect and misleading interpretation of its business and corporate structure.

Two Brands Move Toward Closure

OnlySpins is no longer accessible. Its closure notice said customer funds would be returned through the original payment method where possible. The platform was not licensed in Ireland. It operated under a license from the Tobique First Nation in Canada, while reporters traced one card-payment route to Irish-registered Zentoria. Reporters found that users could register without age or identity verification.

Betwarts, a casino brand with a Harry Potter-style theme, has also announced its closure from July 31. OnlySpins’ closure and Betwarts’ planned exit do not prove the wider allegations against Soft2Bet. They show that two sites named in the reporting changed their operations before GRAI announced any findings.

Ireland Faces a Test of Corporate Tracing

The case arrives at a time when GRAI takes over remote betting licensing. Since July 1, online and telephone betting operators serving Ireland must hold a GRAI license.

The regulator must now establish which legal entities controlled the websites and whether they accepted Irish customers without the required license. The investigation noted that Zentoria’s Irish license covered another casino, not OnlySpins.

Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission is also reviewing the allegations. Its Financial Investigations Unit and Licensing and Registration Branch are involved in the review.

GRAI’s Next Test

The investigation now hinges on attribution. GRAI has to determine who was responsible for each domain, how it got Irish customers, and which company processed the payments. Although domain shutdowns might prevent access, evidence that relates to certain companies and license violations is a must for enforcement.