Recent investigations have revealed a grim truth: massive gambling platforms like Softswiss and DAMA N.V. are at the heart of a vast and unlawful online gambling network that exploits payment service providers (PSPs) and uses labyrinthine corporate structures to circumvent international regulations. As regulators scramble to catch up, these platforms continue to operate unchecked in jurisdictions where online gambling is outright banned. The role of Softswiss, once seen as a reputable software provider, is now front and center in a scandal that exposes a global network of illicit operations designed to launder billions.
Don’t be fooled by the clean corporate image—Softswiss, led by Ivan Montik, is no innocent software provider. Beneath the surface, this company is a linchpin in a sprawling international gambling syndicate that thrives on legal loopholes and a web of offshore entities. While Softswiss publicly presents itself as a technology vendor, its real role is far more sinister. The company is intricately tied to DAMA N.V., a controversial gambling operator linked to some of the most notorious online casinos.
DAMA N.V., previously known as Direx N.V., is the engine behind this criminal operation. Under the direction of Montik and a cadre of key players—including Pavel Kashuba, Dmitry Yaikov, Roland Yakovlevich Isaev, Paata Gamgoneishvili, and Maksim Trafimovich—this network processes billions of dollars annually, using complex money-laundering schemes and offshore front companies to stay one step ahead of the law.
What makes this operation even more dangerous is its ability to manipulate payment processing systems to perpetuate illegal transactions without detection. Softswiss and DAMA N.V. are masters at exploiting the global payments ecosystem to disguise the true nature of their operations. By constantly rotating PSPs and altering merchant descriptors, these rogue platforms can move money through different layers of payment processors, dodging scrutiny from financial institutions and regulators alike.
This deceptive tactic—known as “mislabeling transactions”—allows these casinos to process illicit payments without triggering the red flags that typically signal illegal activity. By using intermediary PSPs based in jurisdictions with weak or nonexistent oversight, the Softswiss network sidesteps regulations in countries where online gambling is strictly prohibited. This isn’t a small-time operation—it’s a global network built on financial deception.
As if traditional payment systems weren’t enough, Softswiss and DAMA N.V. have doubled down on cryptocurrency to further shield their illicit transactions from the prying eyes of regulators. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum offer a veil of anonymity that allows these operators to continue their illegal activities without fear of detection.
Take Roobet, for example—a platform closely linked to Softswiss. Roobet has set up dual-jurisdictional arrangements, exploiting the legal gray areas surrounding crypto payments to funnel money across borders with impunity. Blockchain transactions, while touted for their transparency, are proving to be the perfect cover for gambling operations looking to evade financial scrutiny.
This growing reliance on digital currencies only adds another layer of complexity for regulators already struggling to keep pace with traditional payment systems. As cryptocurrencies continue to gain traction, they provide these illegal gambling operations with an increasingly secure method of laundering money and processing payments under the radar.
The global regulatory system is woefully unprepared to tackle this new wave of illegal gambling that thrives in the shadows of the internet. Softswiss, DAMA N.V., and other operators like them are exploiting every loophole, every vulnerability, and every gap in the system to ensure that their operations remain undisturbed. Their manipulation of payment systems, use of shell companies, and constant shifting between PSPs are part of a broader trend where financial institutions turn a blind eye to illicit transactions.
The real danger here lies in the scale of the operation. With billions in illicit funds moving through their network every year, Softswiss and DAMA N.V. are not just breaking the law—they’re undermining the integrity of the global financial system. Financial institutions and PSPs that continue to enable these activities are complicit in their wrongdoing. But it’s not just the operators who need to be held accountable—it’s the financial infrastructure that makes it possible.
The time for leniency is over. Regulators, financial institutions, and payment providers must immediately change their approach if they hope to tackle this growing threat. The complexity and reach of these gambling networks are only increasing, and if swift action isn’t taken, we’ll soon see even more sophisticated schemes designed to evade international scrutiny.
Here’s what needs to happen:
Accountability for PSPs: Payment service providers must be held to account for facilitating these illegal transactions. The regulatory system needs to implement stronger checks to flag and halt suspicious payments before they can be processed.
Stronger International Cooperation: The problem isn’t confined to one country or one jurisdiction—it’s a global issue. Regulators across borders must collaborate to shut down cross-jurisdictional gambling networks before they can expand further.
Penalties for Facilitators: It’s time to start hitting where it hurts. Strong sanctions and fines must be leveled not just at the gambling operators, but also at the PSPs, crypto platforms, and financial institutions that enable these illicit activities.
Public Awareness and Education: Consumers must be informed about the risks of engaging with unlicensed gambling platforms and learn how to spot legitimate operators. The more people demand transparency, the harder it will be for these illegal platforms to operate.
The situation is dire, and every day that goes by without action only strengthens these shadow networks. Softswiss and DAMA N.V. have built an empire on regulatory evasion, and until global regulators make this a top priority, these gambling cartels will only grow more powerful and more sophisticated. The time for decisive action is now.
