TLDR Police in China have shut down multiple illegal gambling networks linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup across several provinces In Xi’an, 7 suspects were arrested after running an online betting platform with transactions exceeding 100,000 yuan ($14,770) A gang in Guangxi was dismantled for flooding social media with gambling ads since May 2026 In Liaoning, a suspect used illegal apps to take bets on match outcomes, with payments via WeChat China’s Ministry of Public Security warned citizens before the tournament that no online lottery or sports betting sites are legally authorized
Chinese police have shut down several illegal gambling operations tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with arrests and detentions reported across multiple provinces.
The crackdowns span different regions and involve different methods, from running betting platforms to promoting illegal sites on social media.
In Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, police detained 7 suspects for running an online gambling platform linked to World Cup matches. The operation ran various betting schemes and earned money through commissions.
Total transactions exceeded 100,000 yuan, roughly $14,770. Police said the investigation ran for 19 continuous hours before all 7 suspects confessed and were placed in criminal detention.
Social Media Used to Lure Bettors
In Yulin, Guangxi, police broke up a gang that had been promoting illegal gambling websites on social media since May 2026. The group used platforms to direct users toward World Cup betting sites.
China’s Ministry of Public Security cybersecurity bureau said the gang had been flooding social networks with gambling ads. Authorities said they were tracking both the operators and the promotional networks helping them recruit users.
In Liaoning Province, police in Liaoyang moved on the opening day of the World Cup, June 12, to shut down an illegal football betting operation. The suspect had been accepting