A huge leak has exposed the inner workings of thousands of online casinos. A Berlin-based hacker and researcher, Lilith Wittmann, got access to the licensing system of the Curaçao Gaming Authority. She shared the files with reporters at NDR, NRK, SVT and Follow the Money.
The documents name casino owners and show where their money came from. They also include the regulator's own checks and notes, which suggest licences were often granted even when applicants left out important information.
🔍 The Backstory
Wittmann says she logged in under a false name in December and gained full access within hours. The regulator confirmed unauthorised access to its portal on 17 September, and says it has fixed the gap and started a forensic review.
Curaçao is a small Caribbean island with more than 8,000 licensed casino domains, roughly one for every 20 residents. Its licensing system had few rules for almost thirty years, and a new gambling law passed in 2024. Some of the casinos named have been accused of targeting gamblers in countries where they are not allowed to operate.
🎯 Why It Matters
Offshore casinos make it hard to know who really runs them or where the money goes. Clearer ownership could help police scams and protect gamblers.
A huge leak has exposed the inner workings of thousands of online casinos. A Berlin-based hacker and researcher, Lilith Wittmann, got access to the licensing system of the Curaçao Gaming Authority. She shared the files with reporters at NDR, NRK, SVT and Follow the Money.
The documents name casino owners and show where their money came from. They also include the regulator's own checks and notes, which suggest licences were often granted even when applicants left out important information.
Wittmann says she logged in under a false name in December and gained full access within hours. The regulator confirmed unauthorised access to its portal on 17 September, and says it has fixed the gap and started a forensic review.
Curaçao is a small Caribbean island with more than 8,000 licensed casino domains, roughly one for every 20 residents. Its licensing system had few rules for almost thirty years, and a new gambling law passed in 2024. Some of the casinos named have been accused of targeting gamblers in countries where they are not allowed to operate.
Offshore casinos make it hard to know who really runs them or where the money goes. Clearer ownership could help police scams and protect gamblers.