335 Chinese Triads Arrested in Hong Kong Gambling Crackdown

19:01
22 Nov

Hong Kong police have conducted a series of raids connected with a gambling crackdown in the Chinese special administrative region.

335 suspects were arrested in the early morning busts across 223 properties that were mostly entertainment businesses. HKD1.8 million (US$230,580) worth of gambling paraphernalia was confiscated.

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The three-day operation is the latest wave of raids as the government works its way through a long list of typical criminal areas normally operated by organised crime syndicates.

The arrested detainees, aged from 18 to 88 are now facing charges of operating illegal gambling enterprises, as well as fraud, money laundering, prostitution, and possession of firearms.

The triad group is known as Wo Shing Wo which has operated for more than 100 years after coming to prominence in Guangdong, China.

Former leader, Tsz Tung’s funeral was held on November 9, leading to rumours that police used the timing of the meeting of many triad members to sweep in and make the arrests.

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In late August, another 83 people were arrested in more raids connected to illegal gambling. The unidentified leader of Wo Shing Wo and his son were taken in for questioning with HKD12.5 million (US$1.6 million) confiscated from the home property.

Gambling is illegal throughout China and Hong Kong, with the exceptions of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Macau region.

But that doesn’t seem to stop the general population indulging whenever they feel like it. A recent poll of students showed that around 41% had regular wagers, with 50% of those taking part on online gambling platforms.

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Even Macau Not Squeaky Clean

The Chinese authorities are also going in heavy on the Macau scene, too. In the last year, two major figures in the region have been sentenced to lengthy jail terms for breaching illegal gambling regulations related to junkets.

Alvin Chau the “Junket King” is now serving 18 years after being convicted in January 2023. The charge sheet included fraud, operation of a criminal syndicate, and taking illegal bets after bypassing the casino.

Two weeks ago, Chau failed to get a reduction of his sentence at his appeal.

Levo Chan Weng-lin followed Chau into prison in March after a panel of judges convicted him on 34 counts related to illegal gambling activities. These were estimated to have turned over $4.5bn, paying Chan $200m personally.

Macau is now facing even more stringent control under a crackdown order by Chinese president Xi Jinping.

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