The gamblers were discovered and caught red-handed by Biên Hòa police and Đồng Nai Province Criminal Police Department. — VNA/VNS Photo

ĐỒNG NAI — Twenty three people have been arrested for illegal gambling after police raided a cockfighting arena in the southern province of Đồng Nai on Sunday.

The illegal gambling matches were organised by Trần Quang Tú, aka Tú ba gác (aged 39), and Đặng Đình Minh (aged 41).

Fights took place on a vacant land in a melaleuca garden in Long Bình Ward, Biên Hòa City - the capital of Đồng Nai Province - to make it more difficult for the authority to detect their activities. 

Tú and Minh set the rules of gambling and collected 5 per cent of the money that the participants paid to join the gamble. On average, gamblers usually bet between VNĐ50-70 million (US$2,201-3,080).

Midway through the fourth fight, police raided and seized VNĐ122 million ($5,370) in cash as well as two roosters and other evidence.

On Monday Đồng Nai Police confirmed they were reviewing the documents and evidence before pressing charges on illegal gambling and organising gambling. — VNS