World Cup Betting Ring Busted In Hong Kong

China seems to be heating up lately. Hong Kong police have arrested 25 people for running a gambling ring that took bets on the World Cup. This gambling ring took in over $8.5 million in bets on the World Cup in the first week of games. The Hong Kong police launched a raid shortly after the launch of the World Cup in South Africa and they’ve already confiscated 350,000 in Hong Kong cash. The focus in Hong Kong has been on illegal sports betting.

Unlike the mainland Chinese authorities that continue to crackdown on any form of gambling by Chinese citizens, the Hong Kong police seem to be focused on football. The only place to bet on football is at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Betting anywhere else is illegal. It is estimated that over 35 billion Hong Kong dollars were wagered on football matches last year, and that figure will likely be double in 2010 with the World Cup.