Police bust gambling racket in Macau after huge World Cup bets

Macau authorities have arrested 22 individuals in connection to an illegal bookmaking ring that took HK$5 billion ($645 million, or £379 million) in bets on World Cup football matches over the course of a week, according to the South China Morning Post. The illicit activity is believed to be the largest football betting operation uncovered in the gambling hub to date.

The police confiscated over HK$2 million in cash, 17 computers, more than 10 mobile phones, and betting slips during the raid. The week prior to the raid, Hong Kong police arrested 39 people suspected of running illegal bookmaking operations, seizing betting slips worth almost HK$85 million. In the first four months of 2021, illegal bookmakers seized during raids were found to have taken HK$54.2 million worth of bets on football.