They raided two houses in An Phu district, catching 18 Vietnamese and Chinese people involved in the ring red-handed.

Of the group, 12 gamblers were Chinese and Taiwanese directors and employees who are living and working in Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City. The six others were gambling organisers, including one foreigner and five Vietnamese citizens.

At the scene, the police seized VND382 million, US$700, TWD27,000, and other exhibits.

Gambling remains illegal in Vietnam outside a handful of authorized casinos. Vietnamese nationals wanting to play there need to meet certain financial and other criteria in order to be allowed to gamble.

Gambling and organising gambling carries fines ranging from VND10 million to 50 million, equal to between US$430 and US$2,150, as well as jail terms of between three to seven years.

Source: VOV