Giang Province court has sentenced the defendants to a combined 208 years in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Vietnam.- The People’s Court of Giang Province has sentenced 62 people<\/strong> for their involvement in an illegal gambling business worth over VN\u01101tn (US$42.6m). The court’s verdict has resulted in a collective prison term of 208 years and six months and a mandate to repay VN\u01104.84bn (US$206,850) in illicit profits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Vietnam News, the operation was led by Nguy\u1ec5n Th\u1ecb Th\u1ee7y Li\u00ean, a 57-year-old resident of M\u1ef9 Xuy\u00ean Ward in Long Xuy\u00ean City. He received 10 years in prison. Hu\u1ef3nh S\u0129 Nguy\u00ean, aged 46, also from Long Xuy\u00ean City, received the same sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n D\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u0103n Ho\u00e0ng, 64, was given a term of eight years and six months. L\u01b0\u01a1ng Kim Kh\u00e1, aged 43, received a sentence of six years and three months. All four were found guilty of organising gambling and gambling offences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court imposed additional fines on Li\u00ean, Nguy\u00ean, and Ho\u00e0ng, amounting to VN\u011070m (US$2,985), while Kh\u00e1 was given an additional fine of VN\u011050m (US$2,132). Thirteen other defendants faced charges of organising gambling, while the remaining 45 defendants were accused of gambling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sentences ranged from six months of probation to five years in prison. Each defendant was ordered to pay fines ranging from VN\u011010 to 20m (US$426-852), totalling over VN\u01101bn (US$42,652).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The investigation began in May 2021 when local residents alerted the provincial Police Department about the illegal activities. Following an inspection, search warrants were issued on June 5, 2021. Police seized mobile phones, computers, printers, cash and vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gambling in\u00a0Vietnam is illegal outside a handful of venues<\/strong>\u00a0and is punishable with fines of between VND100m and VND50m (US$430 to US$2,150). Vietnamese citizens are only allowed to enter two casinos: one on the southern island of Phu Quoc and the other in Van Don in the northern province of Quang Ninh. Online gambling and its advertising is prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n