China has ramped up its war on illegal online gambling, dismantling more than 4,500 platforms and investigating 73,000 cross-border gambling cases in 2024 alone. The crackdown, led by the Ministry of Public Security, also saw the dismantling of 45 major syndicates and the arrest of over 11,000 suspects.
Thousands of Platforms Shut Down, Major Syndicates Dismantled
Authorities are making it clear—there’s no room for illegal betting operations. Over the past year, Beijing has doubled down on its efforts, targeting not just online platforms but also the networks that support them. The numbers speak for themselves:
- 4,500+ illegal online gambling platforms shut down
- 73,000 cross-border gambling cases investigated
- 45 major gambling syndicates dismantled
- 11,000+ suspects arrested
These figures highlight the scale of China’s anti-gambling push, one of the largest in recent years. The Ministry of Public Security emphasized that illegal gambling not only drains economic resources but also fuels financial crimes, fraud, and money laundering.
The DC Group: A Multi-Year Investigation Exposes a Gambling Giant
One of the biggest busts came from Chongqing, where a three-year investigation led authorities to a massive gambling syndicate known as the DC Group. Operating out of the Philippines, the group specifically targeted Chinese players, luring them into illicit betting schemes.
Authorities revealed that the syndicate had a well-organized network, including:
- Chinese nationals recruited for marketing and operations
- Underground banking channels to facilitate illegal transactions
- Offshore gambling websites designed to evade Chinese regulations
By dismantling solicitation networks and seizing financial records, Chinese law enforcement took down a key player in the illegal gambling industry.
Payment Networks and Underground Banking Under Fire
Stopping illegal gambling isn’t just about shutting down websites—it’s about cutting off the financial lifelines that keep them running. Beijing has been aggressively disrupting payment channels, targeting operations that facilitate transactions for gambling syndicates.
Some of the main areas of focus include:
- Livestream-based betting: Platforms where users bet on live games, often disguised as entertainment
- Illegal lotteries: Unlicensed lotteries that operate outside government control
- Gambling-related investments: Schemes promising high returns through betting-related ventures
Authorities have also reinforced the blacklist system for foreign gambling destinations, making it harder for Chinese nationals to access these illicit services.
International Cooperation: Repatriations and Crackdowns Abroad
China isn’t just going after criminals within its borders—it’s working with other countries to bring offenders back. In 2024, Beijing conducted two major repatriation operations, bringing home more than 1,200 Chinese nationals from Cambodia who were allegedly involved in fraud and gambling-related crimes.
Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed that China will strengthen law enforcement cooperation with neighboring countries to combat illegal gambling and telecom fraud. Southeast Asia, in particular, has been a hotspot for Chinese gambling syndicates, and Beijing is ramping up efforts to dismantle these operations abroad.
Educating the Public: A Key Part of the Crackdown
Beyond arrests and shutdowns, China is focusing on public awareness. Officials have rolled out nationwide education campaigns, warning citizens about the dangers of illegal gambling.
A statement from the Ministry of Public Security outlined their approach:
“Various departments across the country will strengthen publicity and education, conduct in-depth publicity through various means to reveal the harmful nature of gambling, and follow up and expose the latest means of cross-boundary gambling crimes in a timely manner, so as to vigorously enhance the public’s awareness and ability to recognize, reject, and oppose gambling.”
From social media to community outreach programs, authorities are using every tool at their disposal to discourage gambling participation and highlight its risks.
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