Taiwanese prosecutors have broken up a gambling ring taking bets on next year's local elections, a move meant to keep money out of the vote.

• Three members of the ring were arrested and a court approved holding them in custody with no visitors.
• The group ran an offshore betting site where people could wager on which party would win each city and county leadership race.
• Police raided locations in New Taipei three times between late August and mid-September before making the arrests.
• The suspects face charges under election law plus gambling and money laundering counts.
• Officials say betting pools like this can sway how people vote and even be used to manipulate results.

Outlook: Prosecutors say they will keep hunting for similar operations as the local elections approach.