Two senior police officials in Vietnam were sentenced to up to ten years in prison after they were found guilty of running an underground online gambling ring. The syndicate brought in millions of dollars. The two men served as head of the Police General Department and head of the Hi-Tech Crime Police Department and used their knowledge of the gambling industry and law enforcement to their advantage. The two were accused of “abusing power in performance of official duties”.
They were just two of nearly 100 individuals who were sentenced on Friday for their connection to the online gambling operation that was captured in March. Most of the remaining defendants were sentenced to up to three years in prison or were handed a fine. Three mobile companies that issued cash cards so that gamblers could pay for their entertainment at the online casino, were ordered to repay a portion of the $420 million that was wagered through the gambling ring.
Although the government tries to paint gambling as an evil pastime, in truth, millions of Vietnamese gamble in one way or another. In recent years, online gambling has become popular in this Communist regime. Every year, the Vietnamese government closes down scores of gambling rings. Last year, the government announced that it would allow some of its citizens to wager at selected casinos in the hope of raising money for state revenue and encouraging tourism.