Authorities in Ulsan, South Korea report they have taken down two unlawful gambling platforms that produced $48 million in earnings during a six-year period.
The Ulsan Metropolitan Police Agency detained eight individuals, with seven placed in detention facing charges related to gambling, according to South Korean media outlet EDaily.
Among those detained is the alleged architect of the operation, an unidentified person in their 40s, law enforcement stated. The suspects are charged with running two illicit casinos, featuring slot machines at one site and baccarat at the other.
Law enforcement indicated the platforms launched in January 2020 and remained active until their closure in February. Officials noted they initiated a probe into the websites in June of the previous year following tips about the two operations.
Unlawful Gambling Platforms: Law Enforcement’s Six-Month Investigation
Investigators ultimately located the group’s operations across three premises in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. They devoted eight months to monitoring the alleged leader’s activities to uncover additional members of the organization.
Authorities also examined financial transactions from more than 100 bank accounts and phone communications. A police representative stated that the suspects marketed their platforms through anonymous distributors working nationwide.
The suspects also purportedly collaborated with owners of adult-only PC bang (gaming cafes), who allegedly permitted patrons to use the gambling sites.
Authorities carried out coordinated raids at several locations late last month. Along with the apprehensions, police confiscated 62 million won (more than $41,000) in currency.
Officers also seized three high-end timepieces suspected of being bought with proceeds from the illegal operations. Law enforcement believes the group was well-structured and engaged in criminal activities methodically.
‘A Well-Structured Criminal Organization’
The organization functioned similarly to a contemporary technology startup, officials noted. The purported leader delegated specific responsibilities to each member, covering technical support, administration, marketing, financial management, money laundering, and client relations.
A representative for the Ulsan police stated the group utilized disposable phones and fraudulent bank accounts to avoid detection by authorities.
The organization took extensive measures to avoid law enforcement surveillance, the spokesperson added. The defendants allegedly leased office spaces using aliases and moved locations repeatedly to elude police scrutiny.
Earlier this year, authorities in South Gyeongsang Province reported that six adolescents utilized a leniency period to admit to their gambling offenses.
Officials stated the group consisted of one secondary school student and five junior high school students. A police representative announced that authorities intend to implement another leniency period during the latter half of 2026.