French Poker Pro Grégoire Auzoux Faces Up to 10 Years in Prison for Running Offshore Online Casino

^{Pictured: Grégoire Auzoux, professional poker player}

Professional poker player Grégoire Auzoux has been arrested in France on suspicion of operating the offshore online gambling site Crésus Casino, which for several years allegedly targeted French users without a local license, according to NEXT.io.

The investigation began after numerous complaints from players who said they were unable to withdraw their winnings. Regulators discovered that the casino continued operating through mirror sites even after its main domain, Cresuscasino.com, was blocked at the request of France’s gambling authority, Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ). Almost the entire audience came from France — an estimated one million unique visitors per month.

Investigators believe that Crésus Casino was registered through companies linked to Cyprus and Curaçao and generated nearly €1 billion in revenue over the past five years.

Auzoux and another French national have been charged with organising illegal gambling, participating in a criminal group, and money laundering.

According to the prosecutor’s office, raids and asset seizures were carried out in France, Cyprus, and Malta with support from Eurojust, the EU agency that coordinates cross-border judicial cooperation. Law enforcement authorities from six countries took part in the operation.

Crésus Casino has also been linked to several other brands, including Jackpot Bob, Lucky 8, Casino-Privé, and Olympe Casino, all of which were aimed primarily at French players.

Grégoire Auzoux faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to €750,000, along with the confiscation of assets. The investigation is also examining the role of marketing agencies and influencers who may have promoted the Crésus Casino brand to French users.

Gambling Park reminds that online casino operations remain illegal in France.

* Auzoux is a well-known professional poker player who competes in high-stakes tournaments. According to The Hendon Mob database, his total live earnings exceed $3.3 million. In 2023, he won $1.05 million at the Triton Poker Series in Cyprus and was among the top performers at the Onyx Super High Roller Series.