Beijing: As the FIFA World Cup kicked off in South Africa, Chinese authorities have launched a massive crackdown against online soccer gambling, arresting more than 300 people.
Over 70 online gambling rackets have been busted so far with the arrest of over 300 people from across the country, said Dong Xiaowei, an official with east China's Zhejiang province.
More than 100 people were detained for being involved in online gambling worth around 10 billion yuan (USD 1.47 billion) in Yuyao City alone, he said.
Nexuses have also been uncovered in Beijing, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Fujian and Shandong, Xinhua reported.
According to government data, there are about 2,000 Chinese and offshore websites involved in soccer gambling in the country and membership of some of the websites costs up to one million yuan.
IANS
First Published: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 10:24