Global Pro Sports All Stop... Workarounds Emerge as Betting Venues Disappear
Excessive Betting Activities Including TV Ratings and COVID-19 Case Predictions
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Various sports have been completely halted worldwide due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). As a result, illegal sports gambling operators, including private betting sites cornered by the situation, are engaging in all sorts of illicit betting practices.
As of the 4th, most countries around the world, including Europe, have indefinitely suspended all sports competitions such as soccer, basketball, and baseball to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In South Korea, the professional soccer K League and baseball KBO League have postponed their openings, and professional basketball, which was in season, has also been temporarily suspended. Professional volleyball has even forcibly ended its season.
Looking overseas, Italy, hit hard by COVID-19, has completely canceled the Serie A league schedule, and the UEFA Champions League has also been temporarily suspended, making the resumption of European soccer uncertain.
With sports worldwide coming to a halt, naturally, Sports Toto, the only legal gambling industry in Korea, is also operating on a reduced scale. The situation is no different for private sports gambling sites. In response, these private gambling sites are attracting people through various illicit methods.
A representative example is the British betting company William Hill conducting bets on April 19th about whether the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony could be held on July 24, 2020. At that time, the odds were 1/7 for "difficult to hold" and 4/1 for "can be held."
Recently, some illegal private gambling sites in Korea have introduced "TV program viewership rating betting." This method involves predicting the viewership ratings of specific TV broadcasts and placing bets, with payouts given if the prediction is correct. This is relatively mild compared to other cases.
More recently, gambling sites predicting the "number of COVID-19 confirmed cases" have appeared, causing social controversy. The Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 17th of last month that they confirmed illegal gambling on an internet site where bets were placed on the expected number of COVID-19 confirmed cases from February 21 to 23 and are currently investigating.
These illegal gambling sites complicate procedures by requiring acquaintance verification upon user registration to evade investigative agencies. They also operate meticulously and covertly by frequently changing access addresses and servers to avoid tracking. This is why the police have difficulty tracking illegal gambling sites.
A police official emphasized, "Since those caught for illegal gambling can face imprisonment of up to five years or fines up to 50 million won, people should not be deceived."
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