South Korean authorities announced on 14 October that cooperation with the UAE had led to three arrests involving two online gambling networks. Tuổi Trẻ, citing Korea JoongAng Daily, puts their estimated combined operating scale at 3.1 trillion won, or about US$2.31 billion. That is not an amount confirmed as seized money or profit.
Separate networks and repatriation procedures
The first network is accused of operating gambling websites on a scale of 2.6 trillion won. Yonhap's account, relayed by Tuổi Trẻ, identifies its alleged leader and deputy as A and B. B arrived back in South Korea through Incheon on 14 October; arrangements to return A remained under discussion with UAE authorities.
C, described as handling software and operations for a separate 500-billion-won network, returned with B. That group's leader had been repatriated in July. Allegations include unlawful overseas gambling operations and money laundering. They remain investigative claims, rather than findings of guilt.
Football sponsorship is background, not proof of complicity
The report discusses BetEast's historical promotion through football, including Swansea City's shirt agreement for 2016/17. Swansea were then playing in the Premier League. The sponsorship history does not establish that the Welsh club knew about or participated in criminal activity.
Tuổi Trẻ also refers to advertising and sponsorship disputes involving Levante, while explicitly leaving their connection to the newly arrested suspects unestablished. Those separate records cannot be treated as one proven case. Authorities say the HALAK operation will continue pursuing overseas gambling and laundering networks, with further repatriation and legal developments still to follow.