Vietnamese police broke up an online football gambling ring worth around $26 million, arresting four people as authorities look to stop black market betting that surges during sporting events like the ongoing World Cup.<\/p>\n
Gambling is illegal in Vietnam apart from the state-run lottery and a few casinos which are only open to foreigners.<\/p>\n
But the law is widely flouted, especially during top-tier sports competitions when many punters head online or to illegal gambling dens to try their luck.<\/p>\n
The four people were arrested in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, according to a report published the same day in the police\u2019s official Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper. Several others were also summoned\u00a0for questioning.<\/p>\n
The suspects allegedly admitted to operating transactions through a website hosted in the Philippines.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince early 2017, the total transactions of the gambling ring have been worth more than 600 billion dong ($26 million)\u201d, state-run Vietnam Television reported, adding that thousands of people across Vietnam had used its services.<\/p>\n
Under Vietnam\u2019s criminal code, anyone participating in gambling or organising gambling could face up to 10 years in jail.<\/p>\n
The government has moved to ease restrictions, introducing a pilot programme in 2017 that would allow wagers on a limited number of international football matches and adopting a law earlier this month that permits state-sanctioned betting.<\/p>\n
But the illegal market remains dominant as the small amount allowed for betting \u2014 $44 per match \u2014 is deemed too miniscule by passionate punters.<\/p>\n
Authorities around the region are stepping up scrutiny of sports betting as the 2018 World Cup in Russia leads to a spike in online bets.<\/p>\n
Thailand arrested more than 2,500 suspected gamblers from June 14 to June 20 as part of a sweeping crackdown, according to deputy national police spokesman Krissana Pattanacharoen.<\/p>\n
Most of those arrested will face suspended sentences and a small fine, police said.<\/p>\n
In neighbouring Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen told listeners in a speech broadcast live on his Facebook page this week not to bet on the tournament because \u201cthe ball is round\u201d and unpredictable.<\/p>\n
AFP<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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