Major Raid Dismantles €6B Illegal Gambling Ring in Frankfurt

Almost six billion euros generated with illegal online gambling. For years, a group is alleged to have offered online gambling without a German license. Now, investigators have dismantled an illegal gambling operation by searching eleven properties, executing an arrest warrant - and confiscating assets worth around 82 million euros.

An investigation into illegal online gambling that has been ongoing for more than three years resulted in a major raid that dismantled the operation on Tuesday.

In the Rhine-Main area, with a focus on Frankfurt, a total of eleven properties were searched and an arrest warrant was executed against a main suspect. This was announced by the Frankfurt public prosecutor's office on Wednesday. More than 100 emergency and law enforcement personnel were reportedly involved.

Five members of a gambling gang dismantled 

According to the report, in addition to the arrested individual, four other people are currently suspected of having offered illegal gambling over the internet on a commercial and gang basis since at least July 2021. The suspects allegedly did not possess the required German license for this.

In the period from July 2021 to the end of 2023 alone, wagers amounting to around 5.86 billion euros are said to have been processed via the illegally operated platforms.

Assets worth 82 million euros secured 

Furthermore, authorities accuse the suspects of failing to pay gambling taxes, or not paying them in full. Based on investigations so far, the suspected tax damage for the year 2024 is estimated at around 77.6 million euros.

Investigators secured assets totaling approximately 82 million euros. In this context, several high-value vehicles were confiscated and various bank accounts were seized.