According to Chinese news reports, the Beijing Public Security Bureau announced the 21 arrests, which have been part of its efforts to curb illegal gambling activities during the ongoing Euros.
Among the confiscated items were various bank cards and electronic devices that the suspects had used in the operation of illegal betting activities.
In the wake of the arrests, police have cautioned people to be aware of these activities, citing the “hazards of illegal gambling.”
The police have also requested that people protect their online privacy against illegal gambling websites. To prevent citizens from falling victim, they suggested avoiding registration on illegal gambling websites and disregarding match-related text messages sent by strangers.
A similar arrest was also made in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, where the Qingbaijiang police arrested two suspects, seizing over RMB 400,000 ($54,994) in bets. The suspects were believed to be part of a group running illegal betting operations via WeChat.
During the ongoing Euro 2024 football league, arrests related to illegal gambling have been made in several nations worldwide.
Just yesterday, Malaysia and Singapore jointly busted an illegal betting ring with 41 suspects arrested and at least S$10.7m (US$7m) seized. Thailand has also made up to 2,600 arrests related to illegal gambling since the start of the UEFA tournament in June. Police in Macau, Hong Kong and Guangdong have also arrested 50 suspects during a crackdown against major transnational illegal gambling and crime syndicates.
