Gangnam, Seoul: Group Running Illegal Gambling Halls and Sites Worth 600 Billion Won Arrested

Four Executives Detained and One Transferred to Prosecutors Without Detention

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A group operating illegal gambling halls and gambling websites worth about 600 billion KRW in Gangnam, Seoul, has been handed over to the prosecution.

On the 2nd, the Geumcheon Police Station in Seoul announced that five people, including A, a man in his 40s who operated the business, were sent to prosecution on charges of opening gambling halls. Four of the operators, including A, were sent in custody, while one who aided them was sent without detention. The criminal proceeds are expected to be subject to confiscation preservation measures.

They are suspected of operating illegal gambling halls such as 'Baccarat' and 'Live Horse Racing' in a building in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, for several months.

The police arrested them after conducting a stakeout near the gambling hall on the 13th of last month and sent them to prosecution on the 22nd of the same month.

According to the police investigation, the gambling halls were organized and managed through a connection of 'overseas headquarters - domestic headquarters - branches.' The gambling hall discovered this time was confirmed to be a branch at the lowest level.

When the overseas headquarters broadcasted gambling scenes live, the domestic headquarters delivered the videos to each branch, and users watched the videos at the branches or placed real-time bets through gambling websites, according to the investigation.

The police plan to expand the scope of the investigation to include users of the gambling halls.

A police official explained, "We arrested the branch located in Gangnam and secured records showing that funds flowed to the domestic headquarters," adding, "An investigation is also underway to arrest the domestic headquarters and the mastermind."