Asian gambling industry warned of World Cup unlicensed operator risks

(AsiaGameHub) –   With the global spotlight set to focus on North America for next month’s FIFA World Cup, authorities across Asia have sounded the alarm over the rise of illegal gambling platforms.

Despite not qualifying for the finals, both Indonesia and Hong Kong are preparing for a surge in betting activity linked to the tournament, as unlicensed operators aim to take advantage of the event’s popularity.

Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, Head of the Public Information Bureau at the Indonesian National Police’s Public Relations Division, told reporters that law enforcement must ‘work together to anticipate football gambling’ and prevent the excitement around the tournament from being ‘exploited for illegal activities that could lead to significant losses’.

A survey conducted by Hong Kong’s Sing Tao news outlet and published by The Standard revealed that 40% of respondents know someone who participates in Hong Kong’s underground gambling market.

According to the research, illegal platforms in Hong Kong reportedly offer odds on more than 2,000 football matches each week.

Betting on major events

Major sporting events such as the World Cup are widely seen as key moments that boost engagement with sports betting platforms, introducing operators to a broader audience of fans.

For this edition of the tournament, FIFA anticipates that over 6 billion people will tune in—nearly three-quarters of the world’s population.

Combined with the growing popularity of football in Asia, driven by the international appeal of leagues like the Premier League and Spain’s La Liga, this creates a strong environment for increased gambling activity during the World Cup.

Online gambling remains illegal in both Hong Kong and Indonesia. Nevertheless, Indonesian authorities estimate that 3.2 million people participated in online gambling in 2023, with total turnover reaching 327 trillion Rupiah (£13.8 billion), highlighting the substantial demand for such activities in the country.

Last week, the national police arrested more than 300 foreign nationals suspected of operating over 75 online gambling sites.

In Hong Kong, although the scale is smaller, it is estimated that players lost HK$15 billion (£1.44 billion) through the black market in 2023.

With an expanded format featuring 48 teams and 104 matches, there are now even more chances for fans to place bets while watching the tournament.

Threat from prediction markets

In addition to traditional underground gambling, officials in the region are also facing challenges from the increasing popularity of prediction markets.

While many platforms in the area have followed global trends and classified these markets as illegal, they continue to grow in use across Asia, as consumers find ways to access them through illicit channels.

It is certain that these emerging platforms will view the World Cup as a valuable opportunity to strengthen their presence in the Asian market and provide an alternative option for football fans wishing to wager on the competition.