HONG KONG, CHINA – Hundreds of Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) officers carried out a series of city-wide raids earlier in June, targeting the likes of illicit venues, promotional and logistics hubs, and wager processing centers allegedly tied to illegal gambling outfits reportedly controlling millions in unlawful bets.
While the likes of online sports betting have become a norm stateside, the practice is still outlawed in China, with police in Hong Kong having engaged in a widespread crackdown on numerous facets reportedly embroiled in the illicit industry earlier in June.
Authorities in Hong Kong claimed to have arrested 150 individuals earlier in the month, who were collectively involved in “an illegal bookmaking syndicate” controlling wagers equivalent to approximately $40.8 million U.S. dollars (HK$320 million).
Illegal gambling is reportedly on the rise in China, with HKPF Superintendent Au Yeung Tak having issued a statement to the public on the matter, saying, “Police are urging the public not to take part in any illegal gambling during the World Cup, which is a peak period for unlawful betting.”
Superintendent Au Yeung Tak further emphasized, “Anyone placing wagers with an [illegal] bookmaker, whether the bets are taken inside or outside Hong Kong, is committing an offence.”
Among the arrestees were suspects accused of serving as syndicate ringleaders, employees reportedly operating shell bank accounts to facilitate illegal bets, account holders of said shell accounts, dozens of individuals accused of placing online bets, and nearly 20 suspected Triad gang members.
While the alleged gambling syndicate reportedly facilitated approximately HK$320 million in wagers during their period of operations, HKPF only seized HK$1 million in cash and roughly HK$4 million in assets alongside numerous electronic devices allegedly connected to the investigation.
With the rise in online gambling hosted outside of mainland China operating legally, authorities in Hong Kong claim these alleged syndicates have started cropping up and are promoting illegal money laundering services to facilitate bets for Chinese locals via the online gambling platforms abroad.
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