How XoilacTV commentators, including Anh Thỏ and Batman, allegedly earned huge sums

Hưng Yên provincial police have concluded their investigation and recommended prosecuting 74 people in a case involving XoilacTV and a network of sports-streaming websites. The allegations include gambling, organizing gambling, copyright and related-rights violations, and disseminating depraved cultural products.

Investigators said the network built and expanded websites including XoilacTV, VeboTV, 90PhutTV, ThapcamTV, BanhkhucTV and CakeoTV. The sites allegedly broadcast sports programs without permission from the organizations holding the relevant rights. During broadcasts, they inserted banners and links and required commentators to read advertisements for online betting websites.

The commentator team numbered more than 30 people at certain times. Viewers knew many of them by nicknames such as Anh Thỏ, Batman, Người Rơm and Người Dơi. According to the investigation, the commentators did more than provide commentary. They also had to read betting advertisements a set number of times during each match.

The team was divided into official and online contributor groups. Official commentators worked under labor contracts with Heligate Joint Stock Company and could work from the project office or from home through installed computer systems. Online contributors had no labor contracts and connected remotely. Nguyễn Văn Tuấn, known as Captain, later became team leader, while Nguyễn Công Định, known as Batman, ran the project. Commentators covered sports ranging from football and basketball to tennis, martial arts, esports and racing. In addition to fixed salaries, they received bonuses for individual matches. The investigation said some had received more than 6 billion dong during their time working for the system.