Online gambling bust in South Korea

An illegal online gambling ring was reportedly broken up this past weekend following arrests across South Korea.

Six gang members were arrested and another 122 associates were booked by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) under suspicion of running an illegal gambling website which allegedly operated between May 2010 and March 2013 in China and the Philippines, reports the Yonhap News Agency.

The SMPA said the six arrested recruited around 122 “hoodlums” they personally knew to run the 3 000 “PC Bangs” or internet cafes which provided access to the unidentified website.

A daily average of 200 to 300 users are thought to have logged into the site betting a total of 197 billion Won during the three-year period.

According to the SMPA, the suspects pocketed a lucrative 14.5 percent commission on each bet which amounted to 150 billion Won.

“The gang members allegedly participated in the illegal gambling operation for living expenses as they did not have a proper way to earn an income,” an SMPA officer told Yonhap.

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