Police Disrupt Illegal Gambling Ring Exploiting Children as Distributors

In a significant crackdown, law enforcement authorities in Gyeonggi-Pukbu province, South Korea, have apprehended 35 individuals allegedly involved in orchestrating illegal online gambling operations. Among the detainees, ten individuals have been formally arrested on suspicion of running illicit gambling platforms, including Sports Toto and Ladder Game.

The criminal syndicate, spearheaded by a 40-year-old individual whose identity remains undisclosed, operated clandestine gambling websites primarily based in Dubai and Bali. These locations were chosen due to perceived lax international cooperation and lenient regulations regarding money laundering, facilitating the group's illicit activities.

Operating through a South Korea-based organization, the perpetrators managed recruitment, advertisement, and financial transactions for their illegal ventures. Investigations revealed that a significant portion of their illicit earnings stemmed from unauthorized streaming of sporting events and subsequent betting activities.

Perhaps most alarming was the exploitation of minors within the operation. Teenagers were recruited as distributors, leveraging social media platforms to disseminate gambling advertisements and engage peers, including other minors, in illicit betting activities. Shockingly, three teenagers managed to amass up to 500 users each between August and October 2023, yielding substantial profits of up to 2 million won ($1,520) for their involvement.

The authorities have vowed to pursue rigorous legal action against all individuals implicated in this illegal gambling operation, emphasizing the gravity of exploiting children and engaging in illicit online gambling activities.