China Police Bust Multiple World Cup Gambling Networks in Several Provinces

Chinese police have disrupted several illegal online gambling networks linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting how major sports events are being used by betting operators, traffic-promotion groups and social media accounts to attract users into unlicensed gambling schemes.

Chinese police have busted multiple online gambling networks linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup as authorities intensify enforcement against illegal betting during the tournament.

The cases were reported across several provinces, including Shaanxi, Guangxi and Liaoning, and show how illegal gambling activity is increasingly organised through social media, private groups, online betting apps and digital payment channels.

In Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, police detained seven suspects accused of operating an online gambling scheme tied to World Cup matches. According to local police reports, the group created betting options around multiple matches, attracted users to place wagers and generated illegal profits through commissions. The case involved more than RMB100,000 in transaction volume, and the suspects were placed under criminal detention on suspicion of operating an illegal gambling business.

In Yulin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, police dismantled a traffic-promotion group that allegedly provided user acquisition and operational support for gambling websites. Investigators said that since May, gambling-related advertisements in the form of images and videos had appeared across several social media platforms, directing users toward illegal betting sites. The suspects allegedly set up a dedicated studio to promote these platforms and profit from traffic redirection.

Another case was reported in Liaoyang, Liaoning Province, where police handled an online football betting case on the opening day of the World Cup in Beijing time. The suspect allegedly used illegal gambling apps to accept bets on match results and scores, while funds were settled through WeChat transfers.

The enforcement campaign also extends beyond police raids. Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, said it had stepped up action against World Cup-related gambling promotions. The platform reported the suspension of more than 40,000 accounts, the removal of around 65,000 gambling-related posts and the deletion of more than 450,000 comments promoting or directing users to illegal betting services.

The platform also said it had submitted intelligence leads to public security agencies and assisted investigations in several regions. This highlights the growing importance of social media monitoring in anti-gambling enforcement, as illegal operators increasingly rely on content promotion, influencer-style posts and traffic diversion rather than traditional betting advertising.

Chinese authorities have also warned fans that the National Sports Lottery Center has not authorised any online platform to sell sports lottery tickets. Public security agencies have urged users to avoid suspicious links, unverified apps and online betting offers, and to participate only through official and legal channels.

The timing of the crackdown is significant. The World Cup is one of the biggest global drivers of sports betting activity, and illegal operators often use the tournament to attract casual fans who may not normally gamble. Fast-moving match schedules, live odds, social media discussions and mobile payments create an environment where illegal betting schemes can spread quickly.

For China, the cases show a continued focus on full-chain enforcement. Police are not only targeting people who organise illegal betting, but also those who promote gambling websites, provide operational support, move traffic through social platforms and facilitate payments.

For the wider Asian gambling market, the crackdown is another reminder that World Cup betting activity is being closely monitored by regulators and law enforcement agencies. As the tournament continues, illegal operators are likely to face growing pressure across the region, especially where they rely on social media platforms, encrypted groups and digital payment channels to reach users.