Key Moments:
- A Russia-run affiliate network has been identified as the force behind a surge in crypto gambling scams
- The Gambler Panel platform equips partners with sophisticated tools, advertising resources, and a profit-sharing model
- Victims are lured with influencer-endorsed promotions and false credits, ultimately losing money through deposit schemes
Scalable Infrastructure Fuels Online Gambling Scams
A series of expertly executed online gambling scams has emerged in recent weeks, according to cybersecurity researchers. At the heart of this operation is an affiliate platform, managed from Russia, designed to facilitate fraud at scale through a network of partners.
Identified in July by investigators at KrebsOnSecurity, these so-called “scambling” sites have rapidly multiplied. The scheme entices users with promises of large promotional credits, but when winnings are to be cashed out, users are prompted to make cryptocurrency deposits. The funds disappear, and withdrawals never happen.
The Gambler Panel Affiliate Model
Central to this campaign is the Gambler Panel affiliate program, which describes itself as a “soulless project… made for profit.” The platform offers its affiliates access to a customizable fake casino interface that closely mimics legitimate gaming platforms. This sophisticated setup is part of a broader trend where scammers employ startup-like strategies and marketing practices to maximize efficiency and reach.
Typical scams begin with victims encountering targeted ads on social media, often featuring endorsements by athletes or influencers. These ads offer a $2,500 credit for signing up via a specific promo code. After participating and experiencing “winnings,” users are required to make a verification deposit — typically about $100 in cryptocurrency — to initiate a withdrawal. Subsequently, users are encouraged to gamble further, which nearly always results in significant losses as part of the scam.
Network Scale and Operations
The Gambler Panel network is highly organized, providing its affiliates with extensive resources. The profit-sharing model allows partners to retain up to 70 percent of the earnings. The program supplies advertising templates, chat scripts, and promotional guidance specifically tailored for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. All of this is managed through a centralized wiki hosted on the affiliate platform.
The scope of the network is significant, with claims of more than 20,000 affiliates, each reportedly making at least $10 per verified deposit. New affiliate candidates are screened via a Telegram group boasting approximately 2,500 active members. Notably, the only geographic restriction in place excludes users from CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries.
| Program Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Affiliates | Over 20,000 |
| Verified Deposit Earnings per Affiliate | At least $10 |
| Profit Share | Up to 70 percent |
| Active Telegram Group Members | Approximately 2,500 |
| Primary Traffic Restriction | No users from CIS countries |
Visual Identity and Community Insights
The Gambler Panel network presents itself as a modern, startup-style organization, featuring marketing visuals of luxury vehicles, slick affiliate dashboards, and models on its social channels. This visual branding aims to attract new partners and legitimize the enterprise.
A cybersecurity enthusiast, known as “Thereallo” and recognized for managing multiple Discord communities, provided insights into the inner workings of the affiliate operation.
“The wiki is kinda like a ‘how to scam 101’ for criminals written with the clarity you would expect from a legitimate company,” he told KrebsOnSecurity. “It’s clean, has step by step guides, and treats their scam platform like a real product. You could swap out the content, and it could be any documentation for startups.”
- Author
Daniel Williams
