Women falling into gambling addiction - an alarming reality.

Many gambling dens run by women have been discovered.

The Truong Vinh Ward Police have successfully dismantled a gambling ring operating through the card game "phỏm" (a Vietnamese card game) led by Nguyen Thi Phuong (born in 1976, residing in Hai Loc commune, Nghe An province), arresting 8 related individuals. Through intelligence gathering, the crime prevention team noticed that the area around Dang Van Ngu street (formerly in Hung Dung ward) frequently saw many unfamiliar individuals gathering, exhibiting suspicious behavior related to gambling.

This group operates very sophisticatedly, deploying lookouts, organizing transportation for gamblers, and frequently changing locations to fortified houses with "tiger cages" and surveillance cameras to evade law enforcement. In particular, the strict control over members, allowing only those they know to participate and confiscating mobile phones to avoid detection, demonstrates the professionalism of their organization.

After a period of investigation, at approximately 4 PM on August 13, 2025, the Truong Vinh Ward Police mobilized their forces, dividing into multiple teams to simultaneously raid and apprehend Nguyen Thi Phuong and eight other individuals caught gambling. At the scene, the police seized 30 million VND, nine mobile phones, and other related evidence. At the police station, the suspects admitted to their illegal activities. The case is currently being processed according to legal regulations.

Previously, in late February and early March 2025, the Criminal Police Department of Nghe An Provincial Police coordinated to dismantle two large gambling rings in Vinh City (formerly). One of these rings was led by Le Thi Hang (born in 1978, residing in Vinh Tan ward, now Truong Vinh ward). Ms. Hang organized "3-card" gambling, collected "house fees" from gamblers, and arranged for careful lookouts. In total, authorities arrested 22 individuals, including 4 women, and seized over 700 million VND, 2 cars, and numerous items used in the gambling operation.

In late December 2024, the Hoang Mai Town Police (now Hoang Mai Ward Police) dismantled a large-scale illegal lottery and betting ring, with total transactions reaching 150 billion VND since the beginning of the year. The ring operated tightly, with numerous accomplices both within and outside the locality, employing sophisticated methods and readily destroying documents to avoid detection. Among the ringleaders was Pham Thi Xuan (born in 1975, residing in Hoang Mai Ward). After months of investigation, the police mobilized 17 task forces, arrested 23 suspects, seized evidence, mobile phones, and determined that daily transactions amounted to over 600 million VND.

Strengthen inspections and take strict action.

This is a significant number and reflects the widespread nature of this vice in the community. In particular, women participating in gambling are no longer isolated cases but are increasingly appearing, often in roles organizing and operating gambling rings, disregarding the law and even their roles and honor within their families.

One of the notable cases was the appeal trial on August 8, 2025, at the Nghe An Provincial People's Court, which tried Nguyen Thi Oanh (42 years old) and Nguyen Thi Hoa (52 years old), both residing in Hoang Mai ward. Oanh was identified as the ringleader of a sophisticated illegal lottery operation conducted via Zalo, Facebook, and text messages.

In just two days (July 9th and 10th, 2024), Oanh's network transacted over 180 million VND, with Hoa contributing nearly 70 million VND. Additionally, both were accused of participating in gambling with over 7 million VND. The first-instance court sentenced Oanh to 3 years and 3 months in prison and Hoa to 12 months in prison. At the appeal hearing, after considering mitigating circumstances, the court decided to give Hoa a suspended sentence, while Oanh had to serve 3 years in prison.

Behind the seemingly dry numbers in the indictments lie heartbreaking stories. When a woman, who is supposed to be the keeper of the family's hearth, becomes a gambler, the consequences are significant. NVĐ. (residing in Vinh Hung ward) shared: “Since I was little, I’ve been used to seeing my mother sitting up all night playing cards. Many times she lost everything, borrowed money from everywhere, then argued with my father, and smashed things. I felt ashamed in front of my friends, my studies suffered, and I even wanted to drop out of school. Now that my mother has been arrested, I’m sad but also relieved. I just hope she repents and starts over…”

The story of D. is just one of many heartbreaking situations resulting from the gambling addiction involving women. According to sociologists, this is not only a violation of the law, but also a manifestation of the breakdown of consciousness, lifestyle, and family values.

Several causes have been identified, including prolonged idleness, lack of life direction, or a desire for "getting rich quick" without working. Many women, even those with financial means and education, still fall into gambling as a form of entertainment and a pursuit of material gain. When they win, they are drawn into a vicious cycle of gambling. When they lose, they borrow money, fall into debt, evade responsibility, and even assist criminals.

In the long run, a gambling-addicted mother not only destroys family happiness but also negatively impacts the character development of her children. Children in such an environment are easily led astray, even viewing gambling as normal behavior. In many cases, the next generation continues down the same path their parents have taken.

Given this situation, local socio-political organizations, especially women's associations, need to play a more active role in disseminating information and mobilizing members, union members, and the public to raise legal awareness, maintain moral values, build cultured families, and avoid engaging in illegal activities such as gambling and lottery. Violations could be tried in mobile court sessions within residential areas to increase deterrence and education.

In the context of increasingly sophisticated gambling activities shifting to online, anonymous, and difficult-to-detect forms, the People's Committee of Nghe An province has decisively directed all levels and sectors to strengthen inspection, detection, and strict handling of acts of organizing and participating in gambling. Implementing Directive 16/TTg of the Prime Minister, the province has issued Directive 17/CT-UBND along with many specific guiding documents to promote the prevention and control of high-tech crimes, including gambling, betting, and lottery via the Internet.

Departments, agencies, and police forces are required to launch intensive campaigns to attack and suppress crime; resolutely dismantle gambling rings, gangs, and hotspots at their roots. At the same time, they must improve the efficiency of receiving and processing crime reports and denunciations, thoroughly handle cases, and publicly disclose investigation and prosecution results to serve as a general deterrent.

Authorities are also stepping up public awareness campaigns through media and social networks to warn people against participating in fraudulent reward-exchange applications and platforms, prediction games, and especially online gambling websites disguised as entertainment. People should immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station for prompt action.

At the same time, it was emphasized that preventing and combating gambling crimes is not only the task of law enforcement agencies but also the responsibility of the entire community. Every citizen should become the "eyes and ears" of the government, contributing to protecting peace in their villages and hamlets, and maintaining a healthy and civilized lifestyle in each family.