A former police officer was detained for alleged illegal online soccer betting by the local prosecution authority in Qingyuan, Guangdong province, on Saturday, Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

Ling Ziqun, former head of the forestry branch of Qingyuan bureau of public security, was dismissed from his post on Feb 17 after he was reported by a whistleblower to owe more than 1 million yuan ($160,780) in debts.

Ling was found to have participated in illegal online betting on soccer games since September.

The city's anti-graft body has officially put on file that it will launch a further investigation into Ling's case.

After he was detained, Ling denied he had participated in underground online gambling.