EGBA Files Complaint Against Fintech Walletto Over Illegal Gambling Payments

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has filed a formal complaint with the Bank of Lithuania against Walletto, a Lithuania-based payment service provider, over the alleged processing of payments linked to illegal online gambling operators. The complaint follows an EGBA investigation into illegal gambling websites and apps targeting European consumers. The complaint cites test transactions during the investigation that found evidence suggesting Walletto’s services were used in connection with deposits on a number of these platforms.

While the complaint concerns one provider, it points to a wider problem across the payments chain. Illegal gambling operators cannot operate at scale without access to payments – they depend on the same mainstream payment methods and card networks consumers use every day. As long as illegal operators can accept deposits and process transactions, they will continue to function outside legally compliant licensing regimes in the EU, evade regulatory controls, and expose consumers to harm.

Illegal platforms offer none of the safeguards required of regulated operators. Consumers using them do not benefit from basic protections – there is no robust identity verification, no safer gambling tools, no anti-money laundering controls and no guarantee their winnings will be paid. With no effective identity checks, minors and self-excluded players can access these sites unimpeded.

A problem across the payments chain

Illegal operators exploit weaknesses across the payments chain – among payment service providers, acquirers, and card networks – to keep reaching European consumers. Tackling this problem requires a more coordinated approach across policymakers, gambling and financial regulators, payment service providers, acquirers and card schemes. Card schemes in particular are uniquely placed to act: they are the rule-setters for the networks through which payments to illegal platforms flow and have access to transaction-level data that other stakeholders cannot see.

The principle is simple: payment providers should not process transactions for illegal gambling operators. EGBA is calling for stronger action to make that a reality. Financial regulators should fully and consistently enforce existing rules – such as the EU’s Payment Services Directive and anti-money laundering laws – against payment providers. Card schemes should also take the necessary steps to prevent payment providers from using their networks to process illegal gambling transactions.

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, said: “Payment providers should not be allowed to process transactions for illegal gambling operators. Illegal operators flourish by exploiting legitimate financial channels and the mainstream payment networks that consumers rely on every day. Our aim is simple: to leave them no room to manoeuvre, and to cut off the payment channels they use to reach European consumers. Card schemes also have a crucial role to play in combatting illegal transactions: they are better placed than anyone, as they set the rules for these payment networks and see transaction flows no one else can.”

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