Philippine authorities arrested 244 foreign nationals in raids on two sites on 2 October 2026, the Philippine Immigration Bureau reported. The operations targeted illegal gambling activity; authorities also seized phones, SIM cards, laptops and computers.
Raids and arrests show Philippine authorities are targeting illegal gambling operations and seizing equipment.
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It was reported that South Yorkshire police arrested three people during searches in Sheffield and Doncaster. Officers seized thousands of pounds in the operation targeting suspected illegal gambling premises on 5 August.
Italian authorities uncovered six illegal gambling venues in Prato during a series of raids from 2 to 23 October. The operation involved the Customs and Monopolies Agency, local police, the Finance Police and Carabinieri; officers seized cash, premises and computers, and reported four people in connection with one venue. The Prato prosecutor’s office said it would continue efforts against illegal gambling despite investigative resource limits.
Authorities in Prato uncovered six illegal gambling venues during a series of raids between 2 and 23 October, according to a statement from the Prato public prosecutor's office. The operation was carried out jointly by the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), local police, the Finance Police and the Carabinieri. Officers seized premises, cash and computers, and reported four people in connection with one venue.
Authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia seized illegal gambling machines at premises in Harsewinkel and Soest. Controls on 16 October found three illegal machines and unassigned cash in a Harsewinkel pub and four more in a café, while a 9 October operation in Soest closed and sealed a tea house holding four machines.
Authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia seized illegal gambling machines at premises in Harsewinkel and Soest, according to a police press release. The controls took place on 16 October in Harsewinkel and on 9 October in Soest.
South Korean authorities, working with the UAE, arrested three suspects in an operation against an alleged international illegal betting network, reportedly named Halak. Investigators estimated its turnover at about KRW3,100bn ($2.3bn) and identified links to illegal gambling activity in the Philippines and Malaysia. South Korea’s president said the group had allegedly recruited people from vulnerable groups.
South Korean authorities dismantled an alleged international illegal betting organisation with an estimated turnover of about KRW3,100bn ($2.3bn), in an operation carried out with authorities in the United Arab Emirates that led to the arrest of three suspects. The operation was named Halak, according to the report.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates arrested three South Korean suspects following a joint investigation, citing South Korean police. Police accused them of running an illegal online gambling operation from overseas worth KRW3.1tn, approximately $2.3bn.