78 arrests as Hong Kong police bust underground ‘mini-casino’ and racecourse betting syndicate

Police have arrested 78 people during a Hong Kong Island anti-triad operation, targeting an underground “mini-casino” in North Point and a gang organising illegal racehorse betting.

Forty-two men and 36 women were arrested between July 7 and Monday, Vincent Lo, senior inspector of police said in a media briefing on Tuesday.

The arrestees were aged 16 to 68, with some having links to organised crime.

They were arrested on suspicion of various offences, including operating an illegal gambling establishment, gambling in an illegal gambling establishment, trafficking in a dangerous drug, claiming to be a member of a triad society, wounding, possession of an offensive weapon and money laundering.

Four illegal gambling dens and 10 premises offering illegal prostitution were dismantled, the police said, adding that they seized drugs worth around HK$500,000.

The raids were part of a joint anti-triad operation across Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macau, Lo said.

Lo said the “underground gambling den” in North Point was located within a ground-floor residential unit of about 1,000 square feet. It featured a mahjong and baccarat area, resembling a “mini-casino,” Lo said.

“To attract nearby residents to stay and gamble, the den also provided three meals a day and beverages,” Lo said in Cantonese, adding that it is estimated that the operators saw a maximum monthly income of around HK$400,000.

Illegal betting inside Happy Valley Racecourse

Police also dismantled a criminal syndicate which organised illegal bets on horse racing inside the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s (HKJC) Happy Valley Racecourse.

After receiving a report from the HKJC saying it suspected there were cases of illegal betting at its racecourse, the police investigated and took action on the race day of July 8. They arrested one Hong Kong resident and six mainland Chinese men holding two-way permits on the premises.

The gang allegedly began the operation last year. Police are still examining whether a large-scale syndicate was controlling the illegal betting behind the scenes.

The seven arrestees claimed to be businessmen, workers, security guards, or unemployed. They had no triad background and claimed to have met while gambling, Lo said.