Crackdown on Unlawful Gambling: Task Force Targets Underground Betting Operations
The Anti-Illegal Betting Task Force, established by the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), is a global initiative aimed at combating illegal betting activities, particularly in the challenging Chinese market. This task force operates in collaboration with law enforcement bodies worldwide, working tirelessly to identify and disrupt illegal betting rings and money laundering channels associated with gambling operations.
The task force's strategy is multilateral and intelligence-driven. It focuses on enhancing international cooperation among Asian racing jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies to tackle transnational betting crimes. One of the key areas of concern is the growth of internet-based illicit gambling, especially those linked to organized crime networks operating out of or connected to China.
The task force has been successful in coordinating information sharing and collaborative investigations across countries affected by illegal betting syndicates. They have targeted key operators, many of whom are linked to "junket" operators formerly based in Macau and now shifting to online e-junkets, which are notorious for laundering criminal proceeds.
The task force's efforts align with broader regional security initiatives, such as those within forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which also target transnational organized crime, including illegal betting and associated money laundering activities. There have been significant law enforcement successes in China against prominent figures in illegal gambling, demonstrating the tangible impact of coordinated crackdowns aided by task force intelligence.
The Anti-Illegal Betting Task Force is in contact with 21 jurisdictions to address illegal betting and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). The task force will discuss matters related to illegal betting in an upcoming conference in Bangkok.
It's important to note that betting is often considered illegal in some parts of the world, and the global illegal betting market, considering the Chinese market, is predominantly illegal. The Chinese market contributes US$600 billion to the global illegal betting market, making it a significant focus for the Anti-Illegal Betting Task Force.
The Anti-Illegal Betting Task Force exchanges information with law enforcement bodies spread across the world, working effectively to counter the illegal betting market. The Asian Racing Federation has taken up measures to counter the illegal market of betting, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining the integrity of racing and sports in the region.
- The Anti-Illegal Betting Task Force, in its collaboration with global law enforcement agencies, is focusing on sports-betting, particularly in the Chinese market, where illegal betting activities are prevalent and contribute significantly to the global illegal betting market.
- As part of its efforts to counter illegal betting, the Asian Racing Federation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and is working to address this issue in general-news forums, such as the upcoming conference in Bangkok, where matters related to crime-and-justice, including sports-betting, will be discussed.
