Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, also known internationally as RedNote, has suspended more than 40,000 accounts as part of an intensified crackdown on illegal sports betting promotions linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The platform announced on Tuesday that it had stepped up enforcement efforts since issuing a notice on World Cup-related illegal sports betting activity in early June. The campaign is aimed at limiting gambling-related promotions, traffic redirection schemes, and other illegal betting content during the tournament period.
According to Xiaohongshu, the World Cup traditionally represents a peak period for organized online gambling activity, with illegal operators attempting to use major sporting events to attract new users through social platforms. Since the beginning of June, the company said it has carried out more than 12 enforcement actions against organized traffic-diversion networks. These actions resulted in the suspension of over 40,000 associated accounts, the removal of around 65,000 gambling-related posts, and the deletion of more than 450,000 comments promoting or directing users toward illegal betting services.
The platform added that it has also proactively shared information with law enforcement authorities, submitting 12 intelligence leads to public security agencies. Xiaohongshu said it assisted investigations in several regions, including Guangxi, Beijing, and Zhejiang, contributing to enforcement actions against five traffic-diversion groups. Chinese authorities have maintained strict controls on gambling activity, with online betting, unauthorized prediction markets, and related promotional services considered illegal. Social media platforms have increasingly become a focus for enforcement due to their role in directing users toward offshore gambling operators.
Xiaohongshu said accounts found promoting illegal sports betting could face a range of penalties under its platform rules, including content removal, restrictions on private messaging and group chat functions, and permanent account bans. The company urged users to watch World Cup matches responsibly, participate in discussions in a “civilized” manner, and remain cautious of illegal betting promotions. It also encouraged users to report suspicious gambling-related content through its internal reporting channels.
The move comes as authorities across Asia have increased scrutiny of illegal betting operations surrounding the World Cup. Regulators and enforcement agencies in several jurisdictions have warned that major international sporting events continue to be used by offshore operators to target local audiences through social media advertising, influencer promotions, and encrypted messaging channels.
