Eswatini police probe Xwin over Hong Kong links in illegal online gambling case
Authorities require full disclosure of the foreign partners and any agreements governing the business relationship.
Eswatini.- Eswatini police are requesting details from the directors of Xwin (Proprietary) Limited regarding their Hong Kong business partners as part of an ongoing case linked to alleged illegal online gambling operations.
Assistant Superintendent Mpendulo Dlamini of the Royal Eswatini Police Service told the court that Xwin has admitted to operating as an outsourcing entity for an online gaming platform run from Hong Kong. However, the company has not provided information about the offshore operators.
According to the police, Xwin is not authorised to offer gambling services in Eswatini. Instead, the firm’s licence is limited to the provision of goods and services.
Dlamini stated that unlicensed online gambling is treated as a predicate offence linked to money laundering and terrorism financing risks. He noted that the cross-border nature of the transactions complicates oversight and raises concerns about the origin and destination of funds.
Dlamini said: “The persons in Hong Kong are of interest to the police, as we do not know whether the said individuals are criminally clean, linked to a terrorist organisation, or on a red notice.” He added that authorities require full disclosure of the foreign partners and any agreements governing the business relationship.
The police also pointed to regulatory conditions in Hong Kong, where online gambling is tightly controlled. Offshore gambling platforms are prohibited for residents, which authorities argue further calls into question the legality of the arrangement.
Authorities further indicated that the company’s activities may extend to jurisdictions where online gambling is restricted or banned, including parts of Asia. Law enforcement stated that, if required, extradition processes could be pursued in cooperation with affected countries.
The case highlights increasing scrutiny of cross-border gambling operations in Africa, particularly where local entities are linked to offshore platforms operating outside national licensing systems. Proceedings are expected to continue as regulators and law enforcement assess compliance, financial flows and potential criminal exposure.
