Football betting is a widespread practice that can lead to significant legal consequences if conducted illegally. This guide will explore the definition of football betting, the different forms it takes, and the legal ramifications for those who engage in it. It will also delve into the specifics of online football betbook betting tips and the various betting strategies commonly used.

I. What is Football Betting?

Definition of Football Betting

Currently, there is no specific legal definition for “football betting” in the law. However, it can be understood as follows: Football betting is the act of using money or other assets to wager on the predicted outcome of a sports event that is about to take place or is in progress but has not yet concluded or produced a final result.

Online Football Betting

Similar to the concept of football betting, online football betting involves using money or other assets to wager on the predicted outcome of a sports event that is about to take place or is in progress but has not yet concluded or produced a final result. This can be understood as gambling on the score outcomes of sports matches on bookmaker websites, sports betting sites, and gambling games on the internet.

Players only need devices connected to the Internet, register as members, have personal bank accounts, transfer money into their accounts, or deposit money for gambling through phone cards or payment gateways to participate in betting.

If a player loses and cannot pay, they might be coerced into paying through illegal means such as unlawful detention, extortion, or hiring criminal elements to collect debts.

II. Common Forms of Football Betting

Football betting can be carried out in various forms, with four primary types as follows:

1. Betting on Full Match Results

Betting on full match results is a popular form of betting where players wager on the outcome of the entire match. Players place bets on whether their chosen team will win, lose, or draw compared to the opposing team.

This type of betting is also known as European betting tips app download in online football betting. To successfully place a bet in this category, players need to evaluate the recent performance and capabilities of both teams.

2. Accumulator Betting

Accumulator betting involves placing bets on multiple matches simultaneously.

3. Betting on Total Goals Scored

In this form of football betting, players do not need to predict which team will win or lose. Instead, they need to predict the total number of goals scored by both teams at the end of the match. The total should be compared to the value provided by the bookmaker.

Typically, bookmakers offer values like 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, etc., for players to compare and place their bets. When choosing this type of bet, players need to consider each team's playing style to predict whether the match will have many or few goals accurately.

4. First-Half Betting

Players do not bet on the entire football match they are watching. Instead, they predict the outcome of the first half. In this form of football betting, players can still place bets on:

The team winning in the first half.

The team losing in the first half.

A draw in the first half.

III. Can Football Betting Lead to Imprisonment?

According to Article 321 of the 2015 Penal Code, with amendments and supplements specified in Clause 120, Article 1 of the 2017 Law Amending the Penal Code:

Any person who illegally gambles in any form, winning or losing money or property worth from 5,000,000 VND to under 50,000,000 VND, or under 5,000,000 VND but has been administratively sanctioned for this act or the act prescribed in Article 322 of this Code or has been convicted of this crime or the crime specified in Article 322 of this Code, has not had their conviction expunged, and continues to violate, shall be fined from 20,000,000 VND to 100,000,000 VND, non-custodial reform for up to 3 years, or imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years.

If the offense falls into one of the following cases, the offender shall be imprisoned from 3 years to 7 years:

Professional gambling;

Money or property used for gambling valued at 50,000,000 VND or more;

Using the internet, computer networks, telecommunications networks, or electronic devices to commit the crime;

Dangerous recidivism.

The offender may also be fined from 10,000,000 VND to 50,000,000 VND.

Therefore, anyone who bets on football with money or property valued from 5 million VND to under 50 million VND or under 5 million VND but has been administratively sanctioned for football betting may face criminal liability with imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years. Professional football betting, betting with a value of over 50 million VND, or using the internet, computer networks, telecommunications networks, or electronic devices for betting, or dangerous recidivism will lead to imprisonment from 3 to 7 years.

IV. Addressing Questions about Football Betting

1. Is Organizing Online Football Betting Considered Gambling?

Currently, there is no official guideline on this matter, but the spirit can be referred to in Clause 1 and Point b, Clause 4, Article 1 of Resolution 01/2010/NQ-HDTP: “Illegal gambling is understood as the act of gambling in any form for the purpose of winning or losing money or property without the permission of the competent state agency or with the permission of the competent state agency but conducted in violation of the regulations in the granted license.” In the case of football betting, each participation in betting is considered a gambling act.

Football betting is conducted with the purpose of winning or losing money or property without the state's permission.

Thus, organizing football betting is considered gambling and is subject to penalties according to regulations.

2. At What Amount is Football Betting Punishable?

Clause 2, Article 28 of Decree 144/2021/ND-CP stipulates: A fine from 1,000,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND for one of the following acts:

Illegal gambling in forms such as dice, card games, rummy, bridge, tam cúc, three cards, four colors, red and black, chess, Indian 6 cards, 13-card binh, 13-card tien len, cockfighting, betting on odd or even, or other forms for the purpose of winning or losing money, property, or other items;

Gambling with machines or electronic games illegally;

Illegal betting in sports competitions, entertainment activities, or other activities.

According to the above regulations, illegal football betting is subject to an administrative fine from 1,000,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND. The regulations do not specify the minimum amount for football betting. Therefore, any amount of football betting will be punished according to regulations.

3. How is Recording Bets and Organizing Football Betting Punished? How Many Years of Imprisonment?

According to Clause 4, Article 28 of Decree 144/2021/ND-CP on Illegal Gambling:

A fine from 5,000,000 VND to 10,000,000 VND for one of the following acts of organizing gambling:

Inciting, enticing, or gathering others for illegal gambling;

Using one's house, residence, means, or other managed locations for gambling;

Installing gambling machines or electronic games illegally;

Organizing illegal money betting activities.

According to the above regulations, recording bets and organizing illegal football betting will be subject to an administrative fine from 5,000,000 VND to 10,000,000 VND.

4. How is Advertising for Football Betting Punished?

Vietnamese law prohibits gambling, organizing gambling, or acting as an intermediary in any form. Websites providing online football tips site betting and gambling services are considered prohibited business services. Therefore, advertising for these websites is a violation of the law.

Article 7 of the 2012 Advertising Law specifies the following products, goods, and services are prohibited from advertising, including prohibited business services.

From the above regulation, football betting services are classified as “prohibited business services” by law. Advertising for these services is prohibited and subject to penalties under Decree 38/2021/ND-CP of the Government.

Clause 2, Article 33 of Decree 38/2021/ND-CP stipulates that advertising prohibited business services can face fines from 70,000,000 VND to 100,000,000 VND. Similar penalties apply to acts such as advertising sexually suggestive products, hunting guns and ammunition, sports weapons, and products promoting violence.

In addition to monetary fines, violators must remove, dismantle, or erase advertisements or recall products, newspapers, and magazines with advertisements for these products and services.

Thus, websites advertising football betting during the World Cup can be fined from 70,000,000 VND to 100,000,000 VND. Additionally, website managers must remove the violating advertisements in accordance with the law.

Conclusion

This information provides answers to questions about football betting from NPLaw. If readers have any further questions or need additional clarification, please contact NPLaw using the contact information below.