Hong Kong authorities have arrested 19 people, including football players and coachesfollowing a joint anti-corruption and law enforcement operation targeting alleged match-fixing and illegal betting networks linked to the local football community.
The operation, given the code name “Double-edged,” carried out on June 23 by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the Hong Kong Police. Investigators said the group allegedly ran an illegal betting operation covering local and overseas soccer matches, including matches related to the ongoing World Cup, and also bribed players to influence the outcome of domestic matches.
Officials said the investigation began after evidence emerged in a separate corruption probe involving the manipulation of soccer matches. A subsequent investigation led authorities to an individual believed to be a central figure in the alleged criminal operation.
Players and Coaches Accused of Carrying Out Match Manipulation Scheme
ICAC arrested nine men aged between 22 and 49 as part of the investigation. One of the people was also detained by police. The group consisted of two coaches and seven soccer players.
Among the coaches there is one associated with a Hong Kong First Division club and another associated with the Hong Kong Premier League U-22 team. Authorities said one of the trainers also worked as a betting agent. Including footballers players representing three First Division clubswhile other suspects were identified as former players who were allegedly involved in illegal betting activities.
Investigators believe members of the group violated Hong Kong’s Prevention of Bribery Act by arranging payments to influence the outcome of local matches. According to ICAC, irregular betting-related activity was detected in at least four First Division matches throughout the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons, as well as one Under-22 match during the 2025/26 season.
Principal investigator Bill Ng Siu-kei said the network relies on individuals with connections to the sport.
“They have used people associated with the local football sector to take bets, and used football networks and corruption to fix local matches for profit.” Ng said.
Authorities allege that some of the suspects collected illegal bets and directed some of the proceeds to bribe players involved in the targeted matches.
"For example, a footballer who was also a bookie would receive hundreds of thousands of illegal bets. He would use some of these bets to bribe other players to fix local Division One matches.” Ng said. “This will cause legal bettors to incur losses, while those betting with illegal gambling syndicates can hedge their bets to make guaranteed profits.”
Ng added that certain players and coaches allegedly played dual roles in the operation by handling bets while recruiting others to participate in match manipulation.
Police Target Illegal Betting Operations
In addition to the corruption arrests, police also detained nine men and two women aged between 24 and 58 on suspicion of involvement in illegal gambling activities. Authorities said five of those arrested were believed to be core members of the organization, while six others were suspected of being gamblers. Several active football players were among those detained.
Police searches included an office, a residential property and a football club office in Mong Kok. During the operation, officers seized HK$120,000 in cash, suspected betting slips, electronic devices and other materials. Investigators said transaction records related to illegal betting were found on some of the seized devices.
According to Inspector Chiew Tsi-huen from the Organized Crime Bureau and Triads, the syndicate created numerous accounts on illegal gambling platforms and distributed them to trusted associates, including football players who managed betting funds and accepted bets from acquaintances.
"They even recruited people they knew in the world of football to make illegal bets,” Chiew said.
Authorities believe the operation has been active for approximately two to three years and processed more than HK$6 million in illegal bets. The betting activity allegedly covered professional and amateur football matches in Hong Kong and overseas, including World Cup matches.
Police said they believe the arrests have broken up the syndicate and disrupted its revenue stream, although the investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests are possible.
Authorities Emphasize Integrity of Sports and Gambling Laws
ICAC said it continues to implement a broader strategy aimed at protecting the integrity of local sports through law enforcement, prevention efforts and education initiatives. As part of these efforts, the body has issued corruption prevention guidelines for national sports associations and conducted integrity training programs for footballers, especially young players.
The agency also acknowledged assistance from the Hong Kong, China Football Association in identifying suspicious activity related to the match under review.
Officials used the case to remind citizens of the penalties associated with illegal gambling. Under Hong Kong law, illegal betting can result in a prison sentence of up to seven years and a fine of HK$5 million. Authorities also warned that participation in gambling operations may constitute an offense even when betting sites are located outside Hong Kong. Individuals who place bets with bookmakers can be subject to fines of up to HK$50,000 and imprisonment of up to nine months.
The arrests come at a time of heightened scrutiny around football-related gambling activities. Earlier this month, Hong Kong police announced the arrest of 150 people in connection with illegal online betting involving more than HK$320 million. Law enforcement officials have previously identified major international tournaments such as the World Cup as periods when illegal betting activity typically increases.
This issue has also attracted the attention of other countries in the region. In mainland China, authorities recently imposed penalties on 13 football clubs for match-fixing and illegal betting offences, while dozens of people received lifetime bans from football-related activities following separate investigations.
