LYON, France -- A massive police operation targeting illegal football betting linked to organized crime has resulted in 423 arrests across Asia, Interpol said Friday.

Some 272 underground gambling dens were shut down as part of the operation, carried out over the last two months, the international police organization said in a statement.

Authorities estimated the gambling dens handled more than 680 million dollars (459 million euros) in illegal bets worldwide, said Interpol, which coordinated the operation.

The operation codenamed SOGA -- for soccer gambling -- involved authorities in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and China, including Hong Kong and Macao.

"This operation has not only seriously affected the activities of organized crime gangs throughout Asia, but also served as an excellent test of national, regional and international police co-operation ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games," said Interpol's executive director of police services, Jean-Michel Louboutin.

Beijing will host next year's Summer Olympics.

Interpol's headquarters is in the French city of Lyon

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