Illegal Online Gambling Ring Busted, 28 Operators Face Prosecution
Seoul, South Korea – November 26, 2025 – A large-scale illegal online gambling operation, facilitating wagers totaling approximately 70 billion won (roughly $52.5 million USD), has been dismantled by the Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Police Agency’s Cybercrime Investigation Unit. Twenty-eight individuals involved in the operation have been transferred to prosecutors for indictment, with authorities actively working to sieze and preserve 3.48 billion won (approximately $2.6 million USD) in illicit profits.
The network, initially promoted through visits to “Hold’em pubs” before expanding recruitment via social media, employed a multi-tiered structure to distribute profits. According to Cyber Gambling Team Leader Lee Seung-ho, “A total of 15% of the total wagered amount was taken by the operators, with the overall operator, super agents, and agents dividing the funds according to pre-arranged ratios.” This complex system allowed for important financial gain for those involved, exploiting vulnerable gamblers and evading regulatory oversight.
The investigation revealed a sophisticated operation with layers of management responsible for maintaining the site and attracting users. Police are now focusing on identifying and investigating individuals who assumed operational control of the site and those who frequently participated in the illegal gambling activities.
This case underscores the growing threat of online gambling crimes and the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking and prosecuting these offenses.The Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Police Agency confirmed ongoing efforts to recover additional funds and disrupt further illegal gambling operations.
