Macau Authorities Bust US$645 Million World Cup Betting Ring

Authorities in Macau have arrested 22 individuals in connection with a worldwide US$645 million FIFA World Cup betting syndicate.  This is believed to be the biggest raid ever on a sports betting ring in the Chinese gambling enclave.

According to CNN, the illegal enterprise utilized three hotel rooms to take both Internet and phone wagers with one gambler placing a US$5 million bet.

Arrests were made Friday morning throughout Asia including China, Hong Kong and Malaysia.  Some US$248,000 in cash was also seized during the raid.  A second gambling syndicate was busted in the same hotel hours later, police advised.

The arrests are part of a cross-border campaign to crack down on illegal betting in Macau, Hong Kong and China's southern Guangdong province around the World Cup.

Another World Cup betting ring was quashed in Singapore last week leading to the arrests of 15 people.

Authorities are working in conjunction with Interpol.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com