On 24/4, Thanh Hoa Provincial Police announced their collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security's Criminal Police Department, the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security Representative Office in Laos, and Lao authorities to dismantle a large-scale transnational gambling ring.
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Over 200 individuals were arrested by police. *Photo: Police provided*
The Criminal Investigation Department of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police recently observed an unusual increase in Vietnamese citizens traveling to Laos. Subsequent investigations revealed this was not individual activity but an organized, professional ring enticing a large number of Vietnamese people to gamble abroad through cockfighting.
After reporting to leaders of the Ministry of Public Security and the Criminal Police Department, a special investigation was initiated. Authorities identified the Viengxay International Cockfighting Arena, located in Viengxay district, Houaphan province, as being operated by Dao Anh Dung, 47, residing in Ha Dong ward, Hanoi, and his wife Quach Thi Hang.
The couple partnered with several individuals, each contributing 3-10% of the capital, equivalent to 400 million to 1,5 billion VND, to establish the gambling venue. Despite its location outside Vietnamese territory, the cockfighting arena was a large-scale operation specifically designed to cater to Vietnamese gamblers.
The venue provided dining areas, a canteen, and numerous resting rooms for on-site convenience. When players won bets, the organizers collected a 5% commission. The ring operated with a multi-tiered structure and strict division of labor. Hang was responsible for overall management, directly overseeing departments such as reception, cashier, accounting, broadcasting technology, commentary, security, and the canteen.
In addition to in-person gambling, the group established a system for broadcasting and livestreaming on a website and Telegram groups, allowing gamblers to place online bets with the house via the Internet.
Extracted data revealed thousands of Vietnamese accounts participating in online gambling. Specifically, four accounts operated by the ringleaders recorded over 10,000 transactions totaling more than 150 billion VND from 11/2025 until their arrest.
According to money flow analysis, over 13 billion VND was collected in commission during the 19 days from 29/1 until the ring's dismantling. The total gambling transaction amount was initially determined to exceed 1,200 billion VND.
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Suspected ringleader Dao Anh Dung. *Photo: Police provided*
On 26/3, coordinated raids simultaneously targeted and dismantled the entire cockfighting arena, resulting in the arrest of 205 individuals. Evidence seized included over 200 passports and travel documents, and more than 200 million VND in cash.
The Criminal Investigation Agency of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police has initiated legal proceedings, indicting 196 defendants. Among them, 60 individuals are under investigation for organizing gambling, and 136 for gambling. A total of 147 people have been temporarily detained.
Authorities also determined that, in addition to organizing gambling and gambling offenses, some individuals showed signs of illegal detention and robbery.
The investigation is currently expanding. The special operation was carried out under the direct leadership of Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Head of the special operation committee.
Le Hoang
