TLDR
- Xiaohongshu (RedNote) removed over 65,000 gambling posts linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- More than 40,000 user accounts were suspended during the crackdown
- Over 450,000 comments directing users to betting sites were also deleted
- The platform ran 12 separate campaigns targeting organized traffic diversion efforts
- RedNote shared intelligence with law enforcement in Guangxi, Beijing, and Zhejiang, leading to action against 5 betting organizations
RedNote Removes 65,000 Gambling Posts in FIFA World Cup Betting Crackdown
China’s popular social media platform Xiaohongshu, known internationally as RedNote, has removed more than 65,000 gambling-related posts and suspended over 40,000 accounts as part of a push to stop illegal sports betting promotions tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The platform announced the action after issuing a notice in early June targeting illegal World Cup betting content. The crackdown focused on gambling promotions, traffic redirection schemes, and posts designed to steer users toward offshore betting operators.
Xiaohongshu said it launched more than 12 campaigns during the first week of June alone, targeting organized efforts to drive users to illegal betting platforms.
Accounts Suspended and Content Removed
Along with the 65,000 deleted posts, the platform also removed more than 450,000 comments that contained links or directions to gambling sites.
The company said accounts found promoting illegal betting face a range of penalties. These include content removal, restrictions on messaging and group chats, and permanent account bans.
RedNote said it encourages users to enjoy World Cup content in a responsible way and to report any suspicious betting activity they come across.
Law Enforcement Cooperation
RedNote said it shared intelligence with authorities on 12 occasions, supporting investigations in the provinces of Guangxi, Beijing, and Zhejiang.
Those investigations resulted in action being taken against five separate traffic diversion organizations believed to be running coordinated betting promotion campaigns on the platform.
Online gambling and sports betting remain illegal in China. The government has long maintained strict controls on gambling, and social media platforms have faced growing pressure to prevent offshore operators from reaching Chinese users.
RedNote said the World Cup is one of the most active periods for illegal gambling operations online, with betting companies using major tournaments to attract new users through social media.
The platform’s actions reflect a broader push across parts of Asia to limit illegal betting tied to the tournament. Enforcement agencies in multiple regions have flagged major sporting events as a time when offshore gambling operators increase their activity on social platforms.
RedNote has not said how long the enforcement campaign will continue, but the platform stated it plans to keep monitoring content throughout the tournament period.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, runs through mid-July, giving illegal operators several more weeks of potential activity to target.
