Vietnamese police have closed their investigation into pirate football network ‘Xoi Lac TV’ and asked prosecutors to charge 74 people.
Cybercrime officers raided the operation in February. Under Vietnam’s criminal procedure, prosecutors now have 30 days to indict, return the file, or drop it.
Inside the Xoi Lac TV Streaming Operation
Investigators counted 1,529 matches carried without permission from the Premier League and local broadcasters.
Live Vietnamese commentary is what set these sports streaming sites apart from the usual restream. Over 30 commentators earned 200,000 to 500,000 dong per match, roughly $8 to $20, according to Dan Tri.
Betting banners are what turned it into real money. Those ads brought in over 130 billion dong, about $5 million, between April 2025 and January 2026.
Why the Gambling Charges Matter More
The group faces a variety of charges, including copyright infringement, organizing gambling, and distributing obscene material.
Here’s the part worth watching. Vietnam caps copyright infringement at three years in prison no matter how profitable it was.
Organizing gambling as a professional operation carries up to ten years. So the betting ads, not the pirated football, could end up carrying the bulk of any sentences.
Hide Your Digital Fingerprint
Washington Is Watching Vietnam
The takedown earned Hanoi a thank-you letter from the British Embassy, which praised the protection of copyright holders.
Washington was harder to impress. At the end of April, the U.S. Trade Representative labeled Vietnam a ‘Priority Foreign Country’ over online piracy, the first nation tagged that way in thirteen years.
A month later came a Section 301 investigation that can end in tariffs. Vietnam now points to takedowns like this one as its defense.
Final Thoughts from Troy
Seventy-four names recommended over pirated football, and the heaviest exposure sits with betting ads rather than the streams themselves. That tells you how thin copyright penalties still are.
We watched Vietnam prosecute the Fmovies operators too, and replacements filled the gap within weeks. Until legitimate live TV options get cheaper, I expect the copycats to keep on coming.
For more details on this story, refer to the report from TorrentFreak.
We want to know your thoughts. What do you think about this story? Let us know in the comment section below!
Be sure to stay up-to-date with the latest streaming news, reviews, tips, and more by following the TROYPOINT Advisor with updates weekly.
This page includes affiliate links where TROYPOINT may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Many times, visitors will receive a discount due to the special arrangements made for our fans. Learn more on my Affiliate Disclaimer page.
