Vietnam busts 1.3-billion-dollar internet gambling ring

Vietnamese police have arrested 22 people in connection with a 1.3-billion-dollar gambling ring, local media reported on Saturday. Authorities are describing it as one of the biggest ever in the country.

State-owned Thanh Nien news outlet reported that Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security had arrested 22 individuals suspected of involvement in an illegal online gambling ring. The transactions were worth more than 30 trillion Vietnamese dong (1.3 billion dollars), more than any other illegal online gambling operation busted in Vietnam history.

Thanh Nien reported that the wagering was facilitated through the website fxx88.com, which currently redirects to a Philippines-licensed Fun88 mirror domain. In Europe, Fun88 operates under the TGP Europe Ltd banner, and its logo is seen on the jerseys of the Newcastle United football club.

In September 2018, four members of a Saigon-based $26 million illegal online sports betting ring were sentenced to 7-9 years in jail and Fun88.com was also one the websites used by ring members.

Gambling was partially legalized in Vietnam in 2017. Sports betting is now allowed and local authorities initiated a strategy to allow Vietnamese citizens to gamble in casinos. Previously, only foreign passport holders were permitted to gamble. However, betting websites were not included in the decriminalization and remain illegal.