Illegal gambling has sadly become far too commonplace within Far East Asia in recent years, as the underground market is now by all accounts worth more than $1 billion. While a lot of countries within the region seem happy to let illegal gambling rings operate, Vietnam is now seemingly taking a stand.
Sport Betting Ring
According to reports, authorities within the country have busted a sports betting ring that was worth $300 million. Located within the northern part of Vietnam, the betting ring in question mainly dealt in football, operating through an overseas hosted sever.
23 arrested
By all accounts the underground betting ring drew in gamblers who used fake names in order to avoid police detection. 23 individuals were arrested in connection to the operation over the weekend of June 9th, with a 52-year-old man detailed as the leader of the ring. Breaking down the arrests, it is clear the ring was operated largely by known local area debt collectors. Considering the growth of illegal gambling with Vietnam shores, the success of the police operation has been lauded.
Illegal gambling
On top of the clampdown in Vietnam, it seems that similar has been occurring in Thailand, as the nation continues to address illegal gambling matters. Within the past few weeks, authorities have arrested 224 people that were linked to the ever-growing illegal gambling centre that had popped up in Danok. In what is sure to come as a surprise, 90 of those arrested were Malaysian and not Thai as initially expected.
Further busts
The laws surrounding online gambling are loosening in Asia, but as things stand, in countries such as Thailand and Vietnam the act still remains very much illegal. What the above details is the first of what is expected to be a number of major busts that are set to take place over the coming weeks and months.