Chinese Authorities Target Online Gambling Rings During World Cup

BEIJING: Police in several Chinese cities have cracked down on illegal online gambling rings tied to FIFA World Cup betting.

The enforcement cases show how gambling operators are using match traffic, social media groups and offshore websites to target football fans.

Authorities reported recent cases in Huzhou and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, Xi’an in Shaanxi province, Jiangyou in Sichuan province and Yulin in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Police said the cases involved hidden betting operations, gambling promotion and illegal fund flows.

Police Report Multiple Betting Cases

In Huzhou, police said four suspects repeatedly posted “guaranteed profit” and “high-odds cashback” advertisements on social media before the World Cup began. The group allegedly directed users to football betting chat groups, updated match odds, issued betting guides and sent members to gambling websites or group operators.

The Huzhou case involved more than 1.5 million yuan, about $221,000, in fund flows. Four suspects were detained.

In late June, police in Jiande, Hangzhou, broke up another alleged illegal gambling ring and detained eight people. Authorities said the group operated what it described as an overseas World Cup betting market, using high odds and claims of accurate predictions to draw in internet users, relatives and friends.

The Hangzhou case involved more than 1 million yuan in fund flows. Police said the group relied on cross-border gambling websites, assigned people to manage online betting markets and profited from rebates.

Offshore Sites and Chat Groups Used

Police in Jiangyou said they dismantled a ring that promoted “World Cup exclusive markets” through instant messaging groups and WeChat groups. Investigators said suspects used offshore gambling websites offering high odds and multiple betting options.

Authorities said the Jiangyou group frequently changed chat accounts and used temporary payment channels to evade detection. The case involved more than 300,000 yuan, and four main suspects were detained.

In Xi’an’s Weiyang district, police uncovered a group that used social media groups to update odds, open online betting games, recruit gamblers and settle funds offline. Police said a 20-member task force traced clues, identified suspects, collected electronic evidence and reviewed fund flows after the group was flagged during early morning analysis on June 18.

The Xi’an case involved more than 100,000 yuan and was solved within 19 hours. Seven suspects were detained.

The China cases follow wider World Cup-related enforcement across Asia. Thai authorities previously blocked more than 717,000 gambling URLs ahead of the World Cup, with football betting networks treated as a priority enforcement target during the tournament period.

Authorities Warn of Betting Scams

Cybersecurity police in Yulin, Guangxi, also uncovered a gambling promotion case under the “Clean Net 2026” campaign. Police said they found large numbers of gambling advertisements in pictures, text and videos across multiple social media platforms.

Investigators said a 25-year-old suspect surnamed Chen organized a studio that provided traffic promotion and operational support for gambling websites. Chen and others were detained, and the case remains under investigation.

Police said World Cup-related online gambling is deceptive, spreads quickly and can lead to fraud, money laundering and other crimes. Several online platforms have also launched campaigns to remove illegal betting content, block accounts, delete posts and comments, and report clues to law enforcement.

Authorities reminded internet users that online gambling is illegal in China. They warned that promises of “sure wins”, “expert predictions” and “high returns” are often traps, and urged the public not to join betting groups, click gambling links or transfer money to strangers.

The cases underline how major sporting events can create short-term opportunities for illegal betting networks. For regulators and police, the World Cup has become not only a sports integrity concern but also a cybercrime and financial crime enforcement issue.

RELATED TOPICS: Regulation