China's police have launched a crackdown on rampant soccer gambling to curb the scourge of match-fixing and bribery in the nation's football leagues.

A joint circular from the Ministry of Public Security and the State General Administration of Sport has ordered police and sports officials to clamp down on sports gambling, including on-line betting.

"We should target the organizers, bookies, and people who induce others to bet for money, and discipline them severely," the circular says.

Activities such as setting up gambling booths, inducing people to bet, fixing matches, and organizing on-line soccer gambling will be the focus of the crackdown.

Police and sports officials were asked to enhance Internet surveillance to root out soccer gambling websites with equal attention paid to both Chinese and foreign gambling organizations, if they set up underground booths or offices in China.

The circular also ordered harsh penalties for those involved in match-fixing using threats or bribes, and "insiders gambling".

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