Key Moments:
- MyStake N.V. has transferred its Curacao license management to GTW B.V., affecting brands previously operated by Santeda International B.V.
- British media reports revealed that a notable share of UK consumer gambling expenditures in 2025 originated from MyStake.
- GAMRS raised concerns about practices affecting at-risk players, such as challenging account closure and unsolicited advertising.
License Transition and Operational Adjustments
Amid heightened regulatory scrutiny in the United Kingdom, MyStake N.V., the parent of MyStake and additional online gambling entities, has shifted its Curacao licensing arrangements. This transition, which now assigns oversight to GTW B.V., covers several brands that were previously managed by Santeda International B.V. By making this adjustment, the network aligns itself with updated compliance and licensing standards within the Curacao jurisdiction and influences the operational structure of its international network.
According to formal filings with the Curacao eGaming authority, MyStake N.V. made the official decision to transfer the license. This change responds directly to increased attention from press coverage highlighting the network’s activity within the UK market, where reports indicated that British customers allocated considerable portions of their spending in 2025 to MyStake’s offerings.
Advocacy Group and Consumer Safeguards
The advocacy group GAMRS has publicly addressed issues related to player protection on these platforms. Their concerns focus on alleged obstacles to account deletion, intensive retention marketing strategies, and the dispatch of unsolicited promotional materials, as well as alignment with financial oversight standards.
Regulatory Focus in the United Kingdom
This licensing adjustment arrives as UK regulators raise their vigilance concerning offshore entities catering to consumers in the region. Authorities in the UK have adopted a more stringent approach when monitoring offshore gambling accounts and digital platforms for any breaches of local legislation, despite the absence of a UK license for MyStake.
Industry sources have noted that such license restructuring is a tactic often employed by offshore operators to address and mitigate regulatory pressures while striving for continuing operations.
Implications for Gambling Operators
The recent developments underscore the broader complexities faced by operators delivering services globally but needing to comply with a patchwork of regulatory regimes. In countries under particular scrutiny, including the UK, brands may be required to alter their approaches to marketing, payment processing, and customer verification procedures in response to ongoing regulatory attention.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| License Holder | MyStake N.V. (now via GTW B.V.) |
| Regulatory Jurisdiction | Curacao |
| Advocacy Group Involved | GAMRS |
| Market Under Scrutiny | United Kingdom |
Trade bodies have indicated that, while these offshore license changes may be legal, they could affect customer confidence and relationships with payment service providers.
Strategic Considerations for the Sector
The modifications made by MyStake N.V. exemplify the ongoing challenges faced by international online gambling networks seeking harmony between compliance across multiple jurisdictions. By reconfiguring its Curacao license, the group aims to uphold compliance, maintain smooth business operations, and lower regulatory risks.
Operators serving diverse global regions may need to examine their licensing agreements, marketing initiatives, and compliance systems closely in order to ensure the sustainability of consumer confidence and strategic partnerships. These actions mirror a broader sector trend, where operators adapt their international strategies to conform with changing regulatory landscapes while continuing cross-border operations.
- Author
Daniel Williams
