Taiwan passes law imposing life terms for illegal sports betting crimes
Taiwan’s legislature has taken a tough stance on cheating in sports lotteries, passing new laws that impose jail terms of up to life for anyone whose actions to rig or manipulate games result in casualties.
According to local media, the Legislative Yuan passed new amendments imposing prison sentences of seven years to life for individuals who undermine the fairness of sports lottery games and cause death as a result. Those causing serious injuries face prison for three to ten years, alongside fines ranging from NT$ 20 million to NT$ 50 million (roughly €620,000 to €1.55 million).
The amendments, approved unanimously on 17 June 2025, also add “inducement” to the list of illegal tactics alongside violence, coercion, and fraud, broadening the scope of what counts as tampering with the fairness of sports betting.
Legal sector faces tough competition
This move follows growing concern over illegal sports betting in Taiwan. The legal market is limited to the state-run sports lottery, managed by China Trust Bank and Taiwan Sports Lottery Company Ltd.
However, it only offers a payout ratio of around 78 percent, which is relatively low compared to underground operators that can pay out as much as 95 percent. This gap prompts many bettors to turn to illegal platforms, despite official crackdowns.
The scale of illegal sports betting is substantial. In 2021, police busted a gambling ring in the Tainan region that had generated NT$ 50 million (approximately €1.55 million) in just four months, taking bets on European football matches. And in 2024, five IT professionals were convicted for running three online gambling sites handling nearly NT$ 4.8 billion (about €150 million) in bets.
New penalties to send a message?
Authorities say illegal sports betting not only cheats the public but risks the integrity of sports themselves, with match-fixing and corruption potential growing hand in hand with the black market.
To tackle this, the government is planning new laws and working closely with sports organisations and law enforcement to spot suspicious activity and prevent match-fixing. New penalties are aimed at showing a serious intent to protect fair play in both the sports lottery and wider sporting events.
While Taiwan’s official sports betting market remains small and heavily regulated, the illegal sector continues to boom, driven by better odds and payouts.
