Mahjong parlour cheating case centres on hidden camera
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A 45-year-old defendant, Chow Heung-chin (周向前), is facing one count of winning money by fraudulent means, misleading design or false practice in connection with gambling at a mahjong parlour on Shanghai Street in Kowloon. Prosecutors allege that on December 6, 2024, he won HK$24,700 from other players during mahjong games at Kam Ho Mahjong Entertainment after taking part in nine rounds over roughly 30 minutes. The prosecution case includes evidence from the parlour manager, who said Chow’s left-leaning posture and a bulge in his left sleeve looked suspicious. The defence, however, argued the manager only acted after Chow had won money and suggested staff took him to a back alley to press him over an alleged HK$60,000 debt
Key Points
- The charge alleges Chow, 45 and reported as a student, used fraudulent means in gambling at Kam Ho Mahjong Entertainment on Shanghai Street on December 6, 2024
- Agreed facts said he entered the parlour at about 1pm, wearing a black polo shirt and Bluetooth earpiece, and exchanged HK$28,000 in chips
- He joined “running horse” mahjong games with stakes of HK$2,000 or HK$4,000 per round, played nine rounds in 30 minutes, and won HK$26,000 gross
- After the parlour’s 5% commission, the alleged net winnings were HK$24,700, matching the amount set out in the charge before the court
- Manager Chu Ka-yin said Chow ran when staff took him to a back alley for inspection, then removed an outer garment and dropped a suspected camera device
Why It Matters
The case shows how gambling-related fraud allegations in Hong Kong can turn on staff observations, physical devices and disputed motives for intervention rather than only on direct proof of a cheating system in operation. It also underlines the courtroom importance of whether suspicious conduct was identified independently, or only after a player won a substantial sum in a short period