UAE Hands Over Two Offshore iGaming Owners to South Korea

UAE authorities recently transferred two owners of offshore iGaming platforms targeting South Korea to South Korean officials. The combined turnover of both gambling services reaches $3.9 billion.

The first owner spent more than ten years abroad while managing a cross-border network across several Southeast Asian markets. South Korean prosecutors allege tax evasion totaling $48.6 million. Investigators are also examining potential connections to drug-related offenses, prostitution cases, and the 2018 death of a South Korean national in Malaysia.

The second owner operated a separate iGaming service with an estimated annual turnover of $367 million. Prosecutors state that this platform recruited high school students to work as gambling agents.

Transfer Procedure and Regional Operations

UAE immigration authorities typically resolve such cases by canceling residence visas and arranging direct flights to the individuals home countries. This administrative deportation occurs without formal extradition proceedings. Interpol notifications, including standard wanted person diffusions, are processed through this streamlined channel rather than through full judicial review. Operating offshore gambling services from the UAE while targeting the domestic market requires specific residency status, as local regulations restrict non-resident commercial activity in this sector.