Chinese Police Tackle Euro 2024 Cross-Border Gambling Scams

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Residents watch a Euro 2024 game at a night market in Yichang, Hubei province, on June 19, 2024

The excitement of Euro 2024 soccer tournament has led to a wave of cross-border online gambling fraud, prompting Chinese police to launch extensive crackdowns.

Several online gambling groups linked to the European championships were recently busted by Chinese authorities, amid calls for vigilance by the public against telecom network fraud exploiting the games.

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Chinese police are cracking down on cross-border online gambling linked to Euro 2024, with multiple arrests and seizures.
Authorities in various regions dismantled crime syndicates, including one in Macau with 93 arrests and over $1.1 million seized.
Online sports gambling is banned in China, with severe penalties for operators, as evidenced by recent prison sentences for illegal gambling activities.

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What Happened When

Since 2016：: The dismantled syndicate had been operating and taking illegal sports-related bets.

During the last European Cup in 2021：: Hotel operator in Changchun, Jilin province, operated an online casino taking more than 200,000 yuan in bets and was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 5,000 yuan.

During the last European Cup in 2021：: A person ran multiple WeChat groups urging gamblers to visit an online gaming site, took more than 910,000 yuan in bets, and was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison and fined 20,000 yuan.

By June 14, 2024：: Euros 2024 tournament commenced.

June 26, 2024：: A coordinated raid by Beijing Public Security Bureau led to 21 arrests involving three online gambling networks, with the seizure of electronic devices, ledgers, and bank cards.

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