IS SOCCER BETTING CRIMINALLY PROSECUTED?

Watching football is a legitimate entertainment need for everyone. But during the viewing process, it is also very easy to fall into the path of betting, because currently online betting forms are finding many ways to approach online football viewers who do not watch on regular TV. Football betting is a form of gambling that has existed for a long time, during the current EURO 2024 season, subjects are taking advantage of cyberspace to carry out betting in a sophisticated way to bypass authorities. So how is football betting regulated?

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. What is football betting?

2. Administrative sanctions for football betting?

3. Criminal prosecution for football betting?

1. What is football betting?

Football betting is the act of using money or other assets to bet on the outcome of an upcoming or ongoing football match that has not yet ended or has not yet had a final result.

Football betting can be done in many different forms, such as:

– Betting directly at casinos and bookmakers.

– Betting via the Internet.

– Betting via phone.

2. Administrative sanctions for football betting?

Pursuant to Clause 2, Clause 6 and Clause 7, Article 28 of Decree 144/2021/ND-CP stipulating sanctions for administrative violations in the fields of security, order and social safety; prevention and control of social evils; fire prevention and control; rescue; prevention and control of domestic violence.

Article 28. Illegal gambling

2. A fine of VND 1,000,000 to VND 2,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following acts:

a) Illegal gambling in one of the following forms: Xoc Dia, Ta La, To Tom, Tu Lo Kho, Tam Cuc, 3 Cay, Tu Sac, Do Den, Co The, Binh An India 6 La, Binh Xap Xam 13 La, Tien Len 13 La, Da Co, Tai Xiu or other forms with the purpose of winning or losing in money, property or objects;

b) Gambling using illegal machines or electronic games;

c) Illegal betting in sports competitions, entertainment or other activities.

6. Additional forms of punishment:

a) Confiscation of exhibits and means of administrative violation for the acts specified in Clause 1; Clause 2; Points a and b, Clause 3; Points b, c and d, Clause 4 and Clause 5 of this Article;

b) Suspension of operations from 06 months to 12 months for the acts specified in Point d, Clause 3 of this Article;

c) Expelling foreigners who commit administrative violations specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this Article.

7. Remedial measures:

Forcing the return of illegal profits obtained from committing violations specified in Clause 1; Clause 2; Points a and b, Clause 3; Points b, c and d, Clause 4 and Clause 5 of this Article.

3. Prosecuting criminal liability for football betting?

Pursuant to Article 321 of the 2015 Penal Code, amended and supplemented in 2017, regulating the crime of Gambling:

“Article 321. Illegal gambling

1. Any person who illegally gambles in any shape or form with the stakes (in cash or kind) assessed at from VND 5,000,000 to under VND 50,000,000 or under VND 5,000,000 despite the fact that he/she has incurred an administrative penalty or has an unspent conviction for the same offence or any of the offences specified in Article 322 hereof shall face a penalty of up to 03 year’s community sentence or 06 – 36 months’ imprisonment.

2. This offence committed in any of the following circumstances carries a penalty of 03 – 07 years’ imprisonment:

a) The offence is committed in a professional manner;

b) The stake is assessed at VND ≥ 50,000,000;

c) The offence is committed using the Internet, a computer network, telecommunications network or electronic device;

d) Dangerous recidivism.

3. The offender might also be liable to a fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 50,000,000.

For organizations that commit the same violation, the fine is twice the fine for individuals. (stipulated in Clause 2, Article 4 of Decree 144/2021/ND-CP)

Thus, depending on the nature and severity of the violation, soccer betting participants will be subject to administrative sanctions or criminal prosecution.