Hong Kong Authorities Crack Down on Gambling Den, Arrest 16

The Hong Kong police have cracked down on an illegal gambling venue, arresting over a dozen people in the process. A total of six gambling machines were seized by the authorities, according to reports.

A Rented Apartment Was Used as a Gambling Hall

The illegal gambling den was located on Fa Yen Street in Mong Kok in Kowloon, the most densely populated urban area in the region. The fraudulent property, the police understood, was based in a residential flat and offered arcade fishing game machines, despite the prohibition.

The operation, code-named Fullbloom, saw the authorities arrest a total of 16 people. The police reported that nine of these were locals, while seven were visitors from mainland China. One of the local men arrested in the raid is believed to be the mastermind behind the illegal gambling operation. The other people were arrested for gambling illegally – an offense that carries a potential prison sentence in Hong Kong.

The visitors from the mainland included two men and five women, reports say. As of this morning, all arrestees were still being held for questioning. In the meantime, officers from the Mong Kok district continue to investigate the case.

If convicted, the arrestees risk up to 9 months in jail and a fine of HKD 30,000. The operator of the illegal establishment, meanwhile, could land in prison for up to seven years and be forced to pay a fine of up to HKD 5 million.

The Police Vowed to Uphold the Law

In addition to the arrests, the police also seized a total of six arcade fishing game machines, as well as HKD 3000 in cash. Additional gambling paraphernalia was also seized during the raid.

Authorities also contacted the owners of the rented property, reminding them that it is their responsibility to make sure what tenants use it for and to prevent them from conducting illicit activities there.

In an official statement, the Mong Kok district’s special duties squad vowed to continue enforcing the law and combat illegal activities, gambling-related or otherwise.

In August, the Hong Kong police cracked down on a much bigger operation, detaining a whopping 119 people in the process. The arrested people were accused of a variety of crimes, such as engaging in fraudulent activities, prostitution, illegal gambling and drug distribution.