Taiwan Charges 35 in NT$30bn Illegal Gambling Network
Taiwanese prosecutors have brought formal charges against 35 individuals over their alleged involvement in a large-scale illegal gambling and money laundering network that is accused of funneling more than NT$30.6bn (around $975m) through bespoke payment systems. Authorities say the group enabled unlawful betting activity across East Asia by disguising financial movements through complex, multi-layered transactions.
Alleged organiser and payment structure
At the centre of the case is a 41-year-old Taipei-based restaurateur, identified by prosecutors by the surname Lo. While publicly operating a Hong Kong-style eatery, Lo is accused of overseeing an underground operation built around customised financial technology. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of nine years and six months, citing alleged offences including organised crime, money laundering and illegal online gambling.
Investigators claim the operation began around 2020, when Lo allegedly obtained the source code of a payment platform and adapted it into two systems, known as HeroPay and MatchPay. These platforms were reportedly designed to obscure the flow of gambling funds by routing payments through multiple intermediary accounts, preventing direct transfers between bettors and gambling operators and making regulatory detection more difficult.
Growth and scale of the network
The alleged activities intensified in mid-2022 with the launch of an unlicensed gambling website called Rich 11, which offered games such as baccarat, slot machines and sports betting. HeroPay was used as the site’s payment channel. Beyond operating its own platform, the group is accused of providing payment services to other illegal gambling operators between July 2021 and September 2025.
Prosecutors estimate that this combination of operating and facilitating gambling transactions allowed the syndicate to process approximately NT$30.6bn in total turnover. A woman surnamed Huang has also been charged, accused of overseeing financial and administrative functions. Authorities are seeking a sentence of more than six years for her and have requested the confiscation of all proceeds linked to the operation. Other suspects face charges under Taiwan’s Organised Crime Prevention Act and Money Laundering Control Act.
Broader crackdown on illegal betting
The case comes amid increased enforcement against illegal gambling in Taiwan, particularly in relation to sports. Attention on the issue intensified last October after three Chinese Professional Baseball League players from the TSG Hawks were suspended for participating in online poker earlier in the year. League rules prohibit players from engaging in any form of online betting to protect sporting integrity.
The investigation reportedly stemmed from allegations that an agent had encouraged athletes to place bets on games. While the agent has denied the claims, the incident highlighted concerns about the growing reach of illegal online gambling and its potential impact on professional sports.
Legislative tightening
In response to rising public concern, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan has moved to strengthen penalties linked to illegal betting. In June 2025, lawmakers passed amendments to the Penal Code significantly increasing punishments for unlawful sports betting. Under the revised framework, individuals found guilty of manipulating sporting outcomes that result in death or serious injury can face sentences ranging from seven years in prison to life imprisonment.
The changes also expanded the legal definition of illegal sports betting to include acts of encouragement or inducement, closing loopholes that previously allowed some activities to evade prosecution. By reinforcing that legal betting is restricted to the state-run Sports Lottery, legislators signalled a tougher stance on combating the illegal gambling market in Taiwan.
