The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the Hong Kong Police Force (Police) launched a joint operation codenamed “Double-edged” on Tuesday (June 23) to crack down on a crime syndicate controlled by members of the local football circle, resulting in the arrest of 19 individuals. The syndicate is suspected of operating an illegal bookmaking ring involving both local and international matches, including World Cup matches, as well as bribing football players to fix match results in local games for illicit profits.

The syndicate’s illicit activities were revealed during an earlier ICAC investigation into another corruption case involving match-fixing. Following thorough investigations, the mastermind and backbone members of the syndicate were arrested. The arrestees include a serving coach and serving and former football players from local football clubs.


Nine arrested by ICAC for local football match-fixing corruption
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The ICAC arrested nine men aged between 22 and 49 during the operation, and one of them was also arrested by the Police. Among the nine arrestees are two coaches, one from a First Division of Hong Kong (First Division) club and another form a Hong Kong Premier League U-22 League (U-22) club, and one of the duo also acted as a betting agent. The remaining arrestees are seven football players: six who play for three First Division clubs, and one who is a footballer-turned-betting agent of the syndicate having played for various clubs across different divisions

The arrestees are suspected of breaching the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance by fixing the results of local football matches through bribery to enable the bookmaking syndicate to make profits.

The ICAC investigations revealed irregularities in at least four First Division matches in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons, as well as a U-22 match in the 2025/26 season. While the coach and the player acting as betting agents are suspected of collecting bets for the syndicate, a portion of these bets was allegedly used to bribe other football players to fix matches in local games so that the syndicate could profit from the match results.

During the operation, search warrants were executed by ICAC officers at various premises, including the residences of the arrestees. As the relevant corruption investigation is still ongoing, the ICAC will continue to probe the matter thoroughly and does not rule out further enforcement actions.


Illegal gambling den raid by Police, 11 arrested for bookmaking
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During the operation, Police officers from the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau arrested nine men and two women, aged between 24 and 58, for “conspiracy to commit bookmaking” and “betting with a bookmaker”. Among the arrestees were five core members of a criminal syndicate and six gamblers, including active local football league players. Searches were conducted at an office and the residences of the arrestees, leading to the seizure of a small quantity of betting slips, $120,000 in cash, a laptop, and other electronic equipment.

Investigations revealed that the mastermind of the syndicate created multiple accounts across illegal gambling websites. These accounts were entrusted to associated football players, who managed finances and accepted illegal bookmaking bets from acquaintances, including individuals within the football community. The illegal betting activities covered both professional and amateur football matches, locally and overseas, at various levels. The syndicate had been operating for approximately two to three years, handling an estimated total of over $6 million in illegal bets. Police believe that the joint operation has successfully dismantled the criminal syndicate and cut off its sources of income. The operation remains ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out.


Safeguarding sports integrity through ICAC’s “three-pronged” anti-graft strategy
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The ICAC has always strived to maintain local sports integrity through a three-pronged anti-corruption approach comprising law enforcement, prevention and education. In addition to robust law enforcement, the ICAC has launched the Integrity and Corruption Prevention Guide for National Sports Associations (NSAs) to help enhance the governance and internal controls of NSAs.

The ICAC continues to organise integrity training for footballers playing at different divisions, particularly young football players, to instil positive values. The ICAC is grateful to the Football Association of Hong Kong, China for providing expert assistance in identifying suspicious match-fixing activities in various matches.


ICAC and Police do not tolerate any illegalities
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The ICAC does not tolerate any corrupt attempts to undermine the integrity of the local sports community or the Hong Kong society. Corruption will be fully investigated by the ICAC. If members of the public suspect any corrupt practices, they should report them to the ICAC immediately.

With the quadrennial World Cup currently underway, members of the public are reminded not to be influenced by peers or the tournament atmosphere into participating in any illegal gambling activities. Under the Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148), anyone who unlawfully engages in bookmaking commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for seven years. Even if a gambling website is based outside Hong Kong, citizens who participate in the operation of such websites while in Hong Kong may still breach the relevant ordinance. Meanwhile, anyone who places a bet with a bookmaker, regardless of whether the bet is placed within or outside Hong Kong, commits an offence. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of a $50,000 fine and imprisonment for nine months. Members of the public are urged not to defy the law.