South Korean Police Bust $31M Illegal Gambling Ring Operating from Cambodia

According to The Chosun Daily, South Korean police have arrested ten people connected to an illegal online gambling ring that processed approximately KRW 44 billion (approximately $31,6 million) in transactions. The operation was based in Cambodia to evade domestic law enforcement.

Police Bust Illegal Korean Gambling Ring

On September 10, the Cybercrime Investigation Team of the Daegu National Police Agency announced the arrest of ten suspects, including a man in his 30s referred to as “A,” on charges of violating the National Sports Promotion Act. Seven of the arrested individuals, including A, have been taken into custody.

The group is accused of establishing and managing an illegal private gambling site from February 2022 to July of the previous year, during which approximately KRW 44 billion in gambling funds were handled. Authorities have also booked 174 people who participated in the gambling activities without detaining them.

To avoid detection, A and his associates set up operations in Cambodia and repeatedly traveled in and out of the country using tourist visas while continuing their illegal activities. The organization is believed to have run the site in a highly organized manner, assigning roles such as deposit and withdrawal operations, member management, and employee oversight. They reportedly recruited 11,144 users and encouraged them to engage in large-scale illegal gambling, including games like “Sports Toto” and “Baccarat.”

South Korean police have been increasingly cracking down on organized illegal gambling in the country over the summer. For example, last month, authorities busted a crime ring that extorted patrons through rigged casino games. 

It Has Been a Year-Long Operation

In November 2023, while monitoring illegal gambling websites, police identified the site run by A and his associates, along with their local office in Cambodia. Starting in July the following year, they began arresting both the operators and participants in stages. During the operation, authorities confiscated KWR270 million ($194,000) in criminal proceeds. Authorities additionally secured an additional KRW 120 million (about $86,000) from A’s financial accounts through a pre-indictment asset preservation order, aimed at preventing the disposal of illicit profits before formal charges.

South Korean authorities are collaborating with Interpol to pursue suspects who have fled abroad, with enforcement efforts set to continue through October 31. The crackdown targets both illegal gambling operators and high-stakes gamblers using offshore platforms. These actions are part of South Korea’s broader initiative to tighten regulations and reform its legal framework amid increasing regional competition in the legitimate gambling industry.