Managing football betting: There can be no delay.

VHO - The "Xoi Lac TV" case shows that illegal football betting has gone far beyond the scope of a single violation, becoming a socio-economic management issue. In a context where the legal framework exists but has not yet been implemented, the need for controlled legalization of international football betting is becoming increasingly urgent.

A05, in coordination with the Hung Yen Provincial Police, has prosecuted over 30 people for crimes including copyright infringement, organizing gambling, gambling, and disseminating obscene materials on the "Xoi Lac TV" system.

"Xoi Lac TV" - the gateway to illicit gambling.

A large amount of money is silently flowing out of the country every day, leaving behind many social consequences. This is illegal online football betting. The dismantling of the illegal sports betting website system "Xoi Lac TV," with a cash flow of nearly 1,000 billion VND, once again exposes this reality and simultaneously highlights the urgent need to bring international football betting activities under legal regulation.

It's no coincidence that illegal betting companies have gained access to a large market share in Vietnam. Their "extended arm" is the illegal sports betting website, which attracts millions of visitors with free football streaming content and then redirects viewers to betting platforms.

The recently dismantled "Xoi Lac TV" system is a prime example. According to authorities, the case involved nearly 1 trillion VND; more than 30 individuals were prosecuted; 58 bank accounts were frozen, and numerous assets with a total value exceeding 300 billion VND were seized.

The incident demonstrates the determination of law enforcement agencies in combating high-tech crime, cybercrime related to copyright infringement and online gambling. However, from another perspective, it also serves as a warning that without a legal channel for management, the "underground" market will continue to thrive in increasingly sophisticated forms.

It's worth noting that Vietnam is not without a legal framework. Decree 06/2017 on the business of betting on horse racing, dog racing, and international football was issued eight years ago. However, to date, no enterprise has been licensed to operate international football betting, despite the real and growing market demand.

It's not that the regulatory body doesn't recognize this. At press conferences and in numerous public statements, representatives from the Ministry of Finance have acknowledged a series of legal bottlenecks, from match selection criteria and product distribution methods to advertising regulations; they have also admitted that many regulations have become outdated in the context of digital technology profoundly changing the way betting is done globally.

The consequence is that when legal channels fail to operate, players are forced to turn to illegal platforms. The state cannot control the flow of money, cannot protect players, while the budget suffers losses and social risks increase. Therefore, the question now is no longer "to allow or not to allow," but whether there is sufficient determination and tools to transform permission on paper into effective governance.

Legalization for management

It's important to acknowledge frankly that legalizing international football betting does not mean encouraging gambling. On the contrary, it is a modern and practical management solution.

A transparently regulated market will also facilitate domestic businesses to participate in investment, develop technological infrastructure, create jobs, and contribute to the budget. Experience from other regulated business sectors such as casinos or horse racing betting shows that, if well managed, these industries can create positive spillover effects for the economy, rather than just bringing risks.

Regarding international football betting, the most important factor is the policy stance: whether to remain passive and powerless, or to actively manage it. The Ministry of Finance's public acknowledgment of bottlenecks and its drafting of a replacement decree for Decree 06/2017 is a positive sign. However, a signal alone is not enough.

What is needed now is a clear and feasible implementation roadmap, including a business selection mechanism that is no longer hampered by bureaucratic procedures; sufficiently robust tools for monitoring cash flow and behavior; and transparent pilot evaluation indicators that society can verify. Otherwise, we will continue to witness a familiar cycle (draft - promulgation - obstacles - stagnation), while the underground market continues to operate silently and expand.

From the story of "Xoi Lac TV," it is clear that international football betting is no longer an isolated business issue, but has become a management problem linked to social order, culture, and economic security. Therefore, the requirement now is not just to amend regulations, but to organize their implementation cautiously, transparently, and effectively, in order to bring international football betting activities within the legal framework, manage risks, limit negative impacts, and aim to build a healthy entertainment environment with prizes that is consistent with cultural norms and the common good of society.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/quan-ly-ca-cuoc-bong-da-khong-the-cham-tre-209740.html