A Swedish Radio News investigation has uncovered that games from Swedish company Evolution have been found on a number of sites for illegal online casinos in Southeast Asia.
The investigation reveals that some of these online casinos have ties to other suspected criminal activities such as money laundering and fraud. Experts consulted by the outlet warn that game suppliers like Evolution risk assisting the criminal organizations behind these illicit operations by allowing their products to be featured on these sites.
Among these sites were some 50 based in Cambodia, with Evolution games also featured on a casino site in the Philippines.
One instance highlighted is a press conference in Thailand, where police displayed cash amounting to the equivalent of $3.2 million. The money is suspected to have been obtained through a criminal network’s cryptocurrency scams targeting elderly Thai citizens.
“From our investigation into websites offering illegal gambling, we found that Evolution is one of the products featured,” Sarayu Klinhorm, Deputy Superintendent at the Thai police’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau said in the press conference, according to the report.
Evolution is a Sweden-based B2B solution provider for casino operators that offers live casino, games, and slots.
The company’s games, including roulette, baccarat and blackjack, are widely available on online casinos around the world. The company has seen significant growth, particularly in the lucrative Asian market.
However, there have been persistent warnings about online casinos in the region being used for money laundering and other illicit activities by organized crime groups.
A recent report by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) highlighted the alarming rise of industrial-scale gambling operations in Southeast Asia, identifying them as a significant driver of transnational crime
Experts consulted by Swedish Radio News argued that while Evolution may not be directly involved in criminal activities, the company bears responsibility for the potential misuse of its products.
Evolution declined to comment on the report but stated that none of the sites mentioned are their customers or their customers’ customers, adding that it vets its customers, but acknowledges that its supply chain can be complex.
