TLDR
- Police in China have shut down multiple illegal gambling networks linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup across several provinces
- In Xi’an, 7 suspects were arrested after running an online betting platform with transactions exceeding 100,000 yuan ($14,770)
- A gang in Guangxi was dismantled for flooding social media with gambling ads since May 2026
- In Liaoning, a suspect used illegal apps to take bets on match outcomes, with payments via WeChat
- China’s Ministry of Public Security warned citizens before the tournament that no online lottery or sports betting sites are legally authorized
Chinese police have shut down several illegal gambling operations tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with arrests and detentions reported across multiple provinces.
The crackdowns span different regions and involve different methods, from running betting platforms to promoting illegal sites on social media.
In Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, police detained 7 suspects for running an online gambling platform linked to World Cup matches. The operation ran various betting schemes and earned money through commissions.
Total transactions exceeded 100,000 yuan, roughly $14,770. Police said the investigation ran for 19 continuous hours before all 7 suspects confessed and were placed in criminal detention.
Social Media Used to Lure Bettors
In Yulin, Guangxi, police broke up a gang that had been promoting illegal gambling websites on social media since May 2026. The group used platforms to direct users toward World Cup betting sites.
China’s Ministry of Public Security cybersecurity bureau said the gang had been flooding social networks with gambling ads. Authorities said they were tracking both the operators and the promotional networks helping them recruit users.
In Liaoning Province, police in Liaoyang moved on the opening day of the World Cup, June 12, to shut down an illegal football betting operation. The suspect had been accepting wagers on match outcomes and scores through illegal apps, with payouts processed through WeChat.
That suspect was placed under administrative detention, adding to the growing list of cases as police moved against betting activity in different parts of the country.
Government Warnings Issued Before Tournament
Before the World Cup kicked off, the Ministry of Public Security posted video warnings on Weibo, China’s social media platform. The warnings told citizens how to spot and avoid gambling scams tied to the event.
The National Sports Lottery Center confirmed it has not authorized any online platform to sell lottery tickets. Any site offering online lottery or sports betting was declared fraudulent.
Police advised fans not to gamble online, click suspicious links, or download unverified apps. They also told people to buy tickets and merchandise only through official channels.
The cases across Shaanxi, Guangxi, and Liaoning show that enforcement has been active in multiple regions throughout the tournament. Arrests, detentions, and takedowns of promotional networks have all been reported since the competition began.
Chinese authorities have made clear that illegal betting linked to the World Cup remains a law enforcement priority for the duration of the tournament.
