China firms help punters bet on World Cup

Alibaba, Tencent link up with govt lotteries; insurer offers policy offering Taobao credit

Published Fri, Jul 4, 2014 · 10:00 PM

Beijing

CHINA'S Internet giants and insurance companies are finding ever more innovative ways to get around the country's strict betting laws and reap a payout as fans wager billions on the World Cup.

Gambling is banned in China, except where it is run by the government or the proceeds donated to charity, but technology behemoths Alibaba and Tencent have this year linked up with state-owned provincial lotteries to enable punters to bet on the World Cup online.