South Korean police dismantle major illegal horseracing syndicate
Group operated from Vietnam using Korea Racing Authority footage, involved 17,000 gamblers.
Key points:
– Operators arrested for using unauthorised racing footage
– Betting managed by Busan-based gang
– KRW 170bn (US$123m) in gambling funds handled
A large-scale illegal horseracing operation involving overseas broadcasting and violent gang participation has been shut down by South Korean police, as reported by The Chosun Daily.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that 11 South Korean nationals have been arrested for operating an illegal betting site using unauthorised footage from the Korea Racing Authority (KRA). The group is believed to have managed KRW 1.4bn in gambling funds through their site, which attracted approximately 17,000 members.
From December 2022 to November 2023, the operators allegedly purchased KRA race footage from a Chinese-based illegal video vendor for KRW 2m monthly. Although the KRA legitimately distributes footage to 24 countries, some content was leaked and sold illegally. To avoid local scrutiny, the group moved operations to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in September 2023.
To attract more users, the site expanded its offerings to include races from Japan’s Central and Local Racing Associations. With no betting limits, wagers reportedly reached as high as KRW 30m.
In a related bust, police also detained 18 individuals linked to a Busan-based gang who managed gambling funds for eight separate platforms, including this horseracing site. This group oversaw KRW 170bn in illegal transactions and manipulated accounts to evade detection. Members changed burner phones and developed custom software to track funds, charging a commission of up to 1% for currency exchanges.
Good to know: Recruitment strategies included mass SMS campaigns and referrals from well-known horseracing YouTubers
Authorities also charged 140 gamblers, including a YouTuber who placed KRW 214m in bets. A total of KRW 540m has already been seized, with an application for a further KRW 520m currently underway.
Police warned that only KRA-operated online platforms are legal and advised the public to avoid unauthorised betting sites.
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