Police have vowed to combat illegal betting syndicates who accept bets during the World Cup which kicks off in South Africa next month.

Federal CID chief Bakri Zinin said a special team was formed sometime ago to seriously monitor illegal betting during the World Cup, apart from other like illegal betting activities.

"The team is already there... just that we do not reveal its success as and when, to avoid such matters from interrupting investigations.

"Every time the World Cup comes around, the special team will be called into action," he told Bernama when contacted today.

He added that though the government had issued a gaming licence to allow legal betting during the World Cup, there are bound to be illegal betting syndicates who would take the opportunity to rake in profits illegally.

"Any form of illegal betting is an offence, including betting during the World Cup.

"Anyone found betting or accepting such bets will be charged and that also includes online betting," said Bakri who did not reveal how many of them had been detained for such offences.

Bakri said during the World Cup matches, there would be various forms of betting involved as syndicates would device many forms of bets to attract gamblers.

He added that police had also identified some suspects and their illegal gambling locations but did not reveal details.

On May 6, Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin had said that the government had considered issuing licence to legalize betting for the World Cup, since it would help curb the widespread of illegal betting.

- Bernama