Hong Kong police raid suspected illegal mahjong gambling den in Tai Po

Police arrested 36 people and seized mahjong tables, tiles and cash.

Hong Kong.- Police in Hong Kong raided a suspected illegal mahjong gambling venue in the Tai Po district on Thursday afternoon. They arrested the 74-year-old alleged organiser and 36 alleged gamblers: 35 men and one woman, aged between 53 and 82.

Officers from the district’s special duty squad carried out the raid at around 2pm at a residential unit on On Fu Road, following what was described as an in-depth investigation. They reportedly seized five mahjong tables, five sets of mahjong tiles, furniture and HK$1,560 (US$200) in cash.

The alleged organiser has been charged with operating a gambling establishment while 20 others have been provisionally charged with gambling in a gambling establishment. Their cases are scheduled to be heard at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on March 31. The remaining 16 suspects have been released on bail pending further investigation and are required to report back to the police in late April.

Under Hong Kong’s Gambling Ordinance, operating a gambling establishment can carry a maximum penalty of a HK$5m (US$638,000) fine and seven years in prison, while individuals convicted of gambling in such venues face fines of up to HK$30,000 (US$3,830) and up to nine months’ imprisonment.

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Police arrested 36 people and seized mahjong tables, tiles and cash. Hong Kong.- Police in Hong Kong raided a suspected illegal mahjong gambling venue in the Tai Po district on Thursday afternoon. They arrested the 74-year-old alleged organiser and 36 alleged gamblers: 35 men and one woman, aged between 53 and 82. Officers from the…