The Chinese Government is coming down hard on those owning and operating online gambling sites within the confines of their country. A federal court in Shanghai dished out sentences to twenty people owning and operating online gambling sites this week. The sentences ranged from one to six years depending on the defendants involvement within the online gambling rings.  

China has very strict laws against online gambling and the punishments are harsh when caught. Qian Baochun, considered by many to be the leader of the entire operation, got six years in prison along with a $735, 000 fine.  

The main players were able to operate within China by opening accounts using off-shore user information and once in they would attract potential gamblers through their developed and established network. It is rumored that the organizers of the ring earned upwards of $250, 000 during the year through affiliates and the total bets over the year were in excess of a billion dollars.  

A spokesman for the Chinese government noted as this being the most notable case against online gambling rings being operated within China. The government has made a statement to continue to come down hard on those involved in online gambling and trying to beat the system.