TLDR China’s RedNote (Xiaohongshu) removed 65,000 gambling posts tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Over 40,000 user accounts were suspended for promoting illegal betting services More than 450,000 comments directing users to gambling sites were deleted RedNote shared intelligence with law enforcement on 12 occasions across three Chinese provinces Actions were taken against 5 traffic diversion organizations in Guangxi, Beijing, and Zhejiang
RedNote, the popular Chinese social media platform also known as Xiaohongshu, has removed more than 65,000 gambling-related posts and suspended over 40,000 accounts as part of a crackdown on illegal sports betting tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The platform issued a notice in early June targeting illegal World Cup betting promotions. The enforcement effort focused on gambling promotions, traffic redirection schemes, and betting-related content posted during the tournament.
RedNote said the World Cup is a period when illegal gambling becomes more organised online. The platform stated that betting companies use global tournaments to attract users through social media.
From the first week of June, RedNote ran more than 12 campaigns targeting organised traffic diversion efforts. These campaigns led to the removal of over 65,000 posts and the deletion of more than 450,000 comments linking users to gambling sites.
Platform Enforcement Actions
Penalties for promoting illegal sports betting on RedNote include content removal, restrictions on messaging and group chats, and permanent account bans.
The platform also encouraged users to watch World Cup matches responsibly and take part in online discussions in a respectful way. Users were urged to report any suspicious betting activity they come across.
RedNote said it shared information with law enforcement agencies on 12 separate occasions. Those tips helped investigations in the provinces of Guangxi, Beijing, and Zhejiang.
Those investigations led to action being taken against five traffic diversion organisations.