Vietnamese Police Dismantle Massive $133 Million World Cup Betting Operation

Authorities in Vietnam have announced a significant crackdown on illegal gambling following the arrest of 85 individuals linked to two major betting rings. The operations, which were active during the ongoing 2026 World Cup, reportedly handled approximately $133 million in illegal transactions since October.

Police in Ho Chi Minh City described the dismantled rings as highly organized, utilizing a hierarchical structure that cascaded from master-level accounts sourced from operators in Cambodia down to local agents and individual gamblers. While online gambling remains strictly prohibited in Vietnam, these illicit networks frequently surge in activity during major international sporting events.

This enforcement action is part of a broader national campaign against illegal sports betting. According to the Ministry of Public Security, law enforcement officials have successfully dismantled 73 distinct gambling operations across the country within the first 20 days of the current World Cup, leading to the arrests of 346 suspects. Officials have noted that the total value of transactions processed through these various intercepted rings amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars.

The crackdown comes as the tournament, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, heads toward its conclusion on July 19.