The 2010 World Cup has been filled with great soccer matches, upsets, controversy, and, of course, gambling. Next to the Olympic Games the World Cup is the most anticipated and watched sporting events on the planet. This also makes it one of the most wagered upon events. This year’s World Cup was predicted to break wagering records.

Soccer is just as popular in China as it is the rest of the world. Even though the Chinese national team did not make it to the championship event in South Africa, Chinese gamblers were just as enthusiastic about gambling on the event, especially online. There is only one problem. Online gambling, or any other kind of gambling is illegal in China except for in Macau and small bets placed in state run lotteries.

Knowing that gambling would spike during the 2010 World Cup event Chinese authorities widely publicized they would be cracking down on illegal gambling, especially online gambling. Then, towards the end of June, Chinese police made a major arrest and a major online gambling ring was broken. A man who goes by the name “Dark Brother” was arrested outside a “cocaine-fueled nightclub party” in Shenzhen which is a part of Hong Kong. The kingpin who is from Hong Kong, has been charged with running a online gambling ring.

The illegal online gambling ring is reported to have acquired more than 100 billion yuan (close to $14.8 billion U.S.). Dark Brother had many accomplices, most notably “Old Cat” who is accused of helping to run the tightly organized network from her home. Hong King officials were surprised with her involvement in the gambling operation stating, “The ring leader of a gambling gang? I never saw that!” No rulings have been made in the online gambling bust. However, with the Chinese national government making such a big deal over cracking down on online gambling, and the network being so large penalties are sure to be severe.

Tags: casino, gambling, online