What do network operators say about benefiting thousands of billions from gambling lines?

Tuoi Tre Online contacted the network operators to confirm that Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone received 15.5 - 16.3%, equivalent to about 1,402 billion VND, from the thousand-billion-VND gambling ring led by Phan Sao Nam and Nguyen Van Duong.

Mr. Nguyen Le Ky, Head of the Legal Inspection Department of Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), said that the network operator is currently coordinating with the police to clarify information related to scratch cards and telecommunications service providers.

"We provide documents, data, and information to the investigating agencies so that the police can complete the investigation and have accurate conclusions and assessments. Currently, the case is still under investigation and clarification, so VNPT cannot provide any information. But we are certainly actively cooperating with the authorities...".

Meanwhile, a representative of the Military Telecommunications Group (Viettel) said that "it is closely coordinating with the authorities to investigate and clarify the incident. When there are official results, it will proactively provide information to the press."

According to the Ministry of Public Security, the case of the transnational gambling ring shows major loopholes in the management of telecommunications scratch cards, game cards, and payment intermediary activities, creating conditions for subjects to take advantage of to build payment systems for online gambling activities.

Initial investigation determined that the total amount of gambling money deposited through payment gateways was VND9,583.2 billion (VND342 billion/month), of which money from telecommunication cards and game cards was VND9,296 billion, accounting for 97% and money from banks was VND168 billion, accounting for 1.75%.

The investigation agency determined that gambling money from scratch cards accounted for 97% of the total amount of gambling money through intermediary payment gateways, of which telecommunications network operators (Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone) received from 15.5 - 16.3%.

It is estimated that telecommunications carriers will receive about VND1,402 billion (equivalent to 16% of the total value of telecommunications cards) and payment intermediary businesses will receive about VND258.4 billion.

"What do you think about the police's assessment of the laxity in scratch card management? Should there be a limit on the number or value of scratch cards each individual can buy and top up each day?"Tuoi Tre OnlineAsk questions to VNPT representative.

Mr. Nguyen Le Ky of VNPT network said that this is an issue that has been of interest to management agencies, legislative agencies... for several years now and after this case "maybe in the near future this will be promoted".