As part of our follow-the-money strategy, which involves systematic analysis of high-risk sectors, we have identified a new domain being utilized for processing payments related to unauthorized online casinos and gambling operations: ChanneltoPay.com. This domain is not associated with any visible website and appears to function solely as a payment gateway (API). We are seeking to determine the registrant and operator responsible for this payment domain.
In the wake of recent revelations surrounding Cash App and the U.S. authorities' investigation into allegations of money laundering and the facilitation of illegal offshore gambling activities, a concerning pattern emerges—one that is not limited to the shores of the U.S. FinTelegram has revealed that numerous European financial institutions are acting as payment facilitators for illegal offshore casinos.
eMerchantPay is certainly no stranger to the scene of high-risk payment processors and scam facilitators. Gal Barak's collapsed cybercrime organization has already laundered money through it. The FCA-regulated eMerchantpay Ltd, via its eZeeWallet scheme, is a prominent payment facilitator in the online casino segment. The company's auditor resigned in 2023 due to doubts about accounting and governance.
FinTelegram is seeking information on MiFinity, a financial services provider involved in the online casino, gambling, and sports betting sectors. MiFinity UK Limited and MiFinity Malta Limited are authorized by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) respectively as E-Money Institutions (EMI). We have found the EMI as a payment facilitator at online casinos and sports betting platforms and would like to know more.
FinTelegram has pointed out several times that offshore operators of online gambling, casino, and sports betting sites, such as the Dama Group, are increasingly relying on crypto to accept deposits from their clients without having a regulatory permit. In doing so, they use companies they set up in Cyprus as payment agents. The most popular payment facilitators for crypto payments include MoonPay and Changelly. Both facilitate Dama Group's BitStarz.