Ho Chi Minh City’s police have busted an illegal poker gambling house led by Lee Seong-jin, a Korean citizen.

Nineteen people involved in the case have been detained for organisinggamble and gambling.

On June 30, local police caught red-handed tens of people playingpoker at a house on Quoc Huong street in district 2, and seized nearly 440million VND (18,920 USD), 1,651 USD, 14 credit cards, one car, 13 motorbikes andother equipment.

Initial investigations revealed that the “Imperial poker club” washeaded by Lee, and managed by Hyung Yong-woo and Kim Jea-jin, both Koreancitizens.

Lee hired ten other people, including two Filipinos, and offeredthem tens of millions of Vietnam dong to work in the club.

The case is under further investigation.

Bridge card game and poker associations are allowed in Vietnam,however, the city’s crime police department said that in recent times, therehas been a rise in bridge and poker clubs, which serve as fronts for illegalgambling.

Vietnam is considered to have one of the strictest anti-gamblinglaws in the world, with most forms of gambling being illegal.

As of December 2017, casinos in Vietnam only served foreignerswhile Vietnamese were not permitted. However, a new, relaxedregulation has been issued, allowing those with stable incometo play.-VNA