China is stepping up its crackdown on illegal gambling related to the World Cup, with authorities arresting numerous individuals suspected of running secret soccer betting operations. Just earlier this month, officials warned that anyone participating in World Cup betting could face prison sentences or hefty fines.
Concerns have been raised about a surge in unlawful sports betting websites, prompting a senior judge to urge citizens to watch matches with a rational mindset and to avoid engaging in online gambling or serving as betting intermediaries.
Despite these warnings, the Ministry of Public Security has reported arrests related to a studio producing promotional content for illegal sportsbooks. In Yulin, Guangxi Province, two men surnamed Chen and a woman named Liu were identified by police as the main figures behind this operation, according to state media outlet CCTV.
The trio allegedly facilitated traffic to unspecified soccer betting websites, offering maintenance and technical assistance as well. All three suspects are aged between 25 and 26, and law enforcement has arrested additional residents from Guangxi Province in connection with the case, which is still under investigation.
The studio reportedly started its operations in May, generating a substantial volume of gambling advertisements that included images, text, and videos circulating across various social media platforms, all aimed at enticing users to gamble on illegal sites.
Police initiatives are not limited to Guangxi Province. In Xi’an, the local Public Security Bureau conducted a raid on a suspected online sportsbook offering odds for World Cup matches. Officers monitored the site operators for 19 hours before executing the raid around dawn on June 18, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals, all of whom have confessed to their involvement.
Authorities revealed that the website had a turnover exceeding 100,000 yuan (about $15,000), and efforts are underway to confiscate the group's profits. The Xi’an bureau has urged residents to enjoy the World Cup responsibly and in compliance with the law, amid rising illegal sports betting activities, which are also reportedly increasing in Indonesia during the tournament.
