South Korea Breaks Up $930M Vietnam Gambling Network

Long Operation Spanning Several Years

Police said the group ran between April 2020 and January 2025. It used four illegal casino websites based in Vietnam. The sites offered games like baccarat and blackjack. Many users in South Korea joined through online access.

Authorities said the group split tasks between members. Some handled payments — others managed user accounts. Police arrested 13 main members linked to the network. Five suspects, including the alleged leader Mr A, were sent to prosecutors.

Social Media Used to Reach More Users

Investigators also arrested 50 recruiters and promoters. They pushed the casino sites on social media and websites. Police believe this helped the network grow fast. One site reportedly had over 25,000 users.

Authorities tracked money flows through more than 500 accounts. This helped them map how the group worked. They also found large illegal profits built over several years. Courts approved freezing KRW75.4 billion in assets linked to the case.

Main facts from the case

• Four casino websites ran from Vietnam

• Around 500 financial accounts were tracked

• 63 people were arrested in total

• Total wagers reached KRW1.3 trillion

Stronger Action Against Illegal Gambling

South Korea has increased pressure on illegal online gambling in recent years. Authorities say it is a growing social risk. A new leadership team at the National Gambling Control Commission is pushing stricter rules. The focus is on protection and prevention.

Officials are also worried about youth exposure to online gambling content. Easy internet access may increase the risk for younger users. Nevertheless, South Korea keeps very strict gambling laws. Only one casino — Kangwon Land — allows local citizens to play.

Beyond enforcement, pressure is growing for stronger prevention systems. Hence, more raids and asset freezes may follow in future cases.