Penalties for online betting, how is online football betting violation penalized?

Legal provisions create a crucial legal framework for handling and punishing those who violate the law, simultaneously deterring and educating others. Faced with the growing prevalence and sophistication of illegal online betting, the legal system has regulations on penalties for online betting as follows.

How is online football betting processed? Current legal regulations on penalties for online betting

1. Is online betting a legal violation?

- Online betting (often referring to online football betting) is the act of using money or assets to wager on the outcome of an ongoing or upcoming event. Simply put, it involves betting on the score, victory, or defeat of that event. Online betting is carried out through various websites, gaming platforms, and bookmakers' websites.

=> Essentially, online betting boils down to risking money and assets.

- While there is no specific guidance for the act of online betting, according to the spirit of Resolution 01/2010/NQ-HĐTP, online betting is considered a form of gambling and is strictly prohibited by law. Online betting is a legal violation.

2. How much is the penalty for online betting?

* Administrative fines ranging from 1 million to 2 million VND

- Clause 2, Article 8 of Decree 144/2021/NĐ-CP stipulates fines ranging from 1 million to 2 million VND for the act of: Illegal betting in sports events, recreational activities, or other activities.

=> Accordingly, any involvement in online betting will result in individuals being fined administratively as outlined, without specifying the amount of money involved.

- In addition to fines, violators may face the following measures:

+ Confiscation of exhibits, means of violation;
+ Foreigners engaging in violations may be deported from Vietnam;
+ Compulsory surrender of any illegal gains obtained through online betting.

Engaging in online betting can lead to administrative fines or criminal prosecution.

As established, online betting is deemed a gambling activity, and as such, individuals may be criminally liable under Article 321 of the Criminal Code regarding Gambling Offenses.

- Fines ranging from 20 million to 100 million VND, non-custodial rehabilitation penalties up to 03 years, or imprisonment from 06 months to 03 years, if:

+ The value of the bet is from 5 million to less than 50 million VND; or
+ Betting is less than 5 million VND but falls under either of the following conditions: (1) has been administratively fined for this offense or for organizing gambling; or (2) has been convicted of this crime or the crime of organizing gambling, with the conviction not yet expunged and further violations.

- Imprisonment from 03 years to 07 years:

+ Possesses a professional nature;
+ Money or assets used for gambling amount to 50,000,000 VND or more;
+ Uses the internet, computer networks, telecommunications networks, electronic devices to commit the offense;
+ Recidivism poses a danger.

In addition, offenders may also face fines ranging from 10 million to 50 million VND.

3. Under what circumstances is betting legal? Gambling laws for football betting in Vietnam

- Currently, there are still cases where legal betting is allowed, specifically betting on horse racing, dog racing, and international football as per Decree 06/2017/NĐ-CP.

- For online football betting to be legal, numerous conditions must be met, such as:

+ Player requirements: aged 21 and above with full legal capacity;
+ Limitation on betting amounts;
+ Reward methods;
+ Participation must be conducted through enterprises or entities with a license for international football betting operations;
+ The tournament for betting must be listed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism;
+ ....

- However, there is currently no information available about entities authorized to provide this type of service.

When does legal online football betting occur?

In reality, forms of gambling, online gambling organizations, may be organized by operating under the guise of online games involving prize-winning card games or scratch card exchanges. So, does playing prize-winning card games violate the law? Refer to the following article by Mytour for answers.

4. Summoned for online betting, what should you do?

- Many individuals are summoned by the police regarding online betting. In this situation, citizens must comply with the summons notice.

(Note: The police conduct work and notifications through written documents, without contacting citizens via phone or text messages for summoning, so people should be cautious and avoid scams.)

- Participate in providing information as requested within one's knowledge scope, answer questions calmly and honestly. Note that questions implying shared responsibility must be responded to and fully documented in the working record.
- Request the police to explain the reason for the summons, the content of the working session, and the summoned person's status.
- All content is recorded in the working record, carefully read the content, and have the right to agree or disagree with the record's content.
- Request a copy of the working record (except in cases of being a questioner or a defendant). Do not sign the record if the content does not accurately reflect the actual events.

Above is information about the penalties for online betting as per current regulations compiled by Mytour. Readers can also refer to the penalties for organizing gambling offenses stipulated by the law.