Sham Shui Po Police Raid Multiple Fishing-Machine Gambling Dens
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Sham Shui Po police carried out an enforcement operation codenamed “Rising Sun” on August 26 after an in-depth investigation into suspected illegal fishing-machine gambling activities in the district.
Officers raided multiple units on Nam Cheong Street, Apliu Street, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Ki Lung Street in the afternoon, dismantling several suspected illegal gambling venues.
A total of 25 people, aged 20 to 63, were arrested on suspicion of managing a gambling establishment or gambling in a gambling establishment.
Police also seized dozens of fishing-machine components, a batch of gambling paraphernalia and gambling proceeds, while all those arrested were being detained for investigation.
Key Points
- The operation was led by the Sham Shui Po District Special Duty Squad after what police described as an in-depth investigation.
- Raids were conducted on August 26 at multiple premises along Nam Cheong Street, Apliu Street, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Ki Lung Street.
- Those arrested included 15 local men, six local women, two mainland Chinese men, one mainland Chinese woman and one foreign man.
- The 25 suspects were aged between 20 and 63 and were held on allegations linked to operating or patronising gambling venues.
- One 33-year-old local man surnamed Tse was also suspected of failing to produce proof of identity during the operation.
Why It Matters
Illegal gambling venues hidden inside residential or mixed-use buildings can create law-and-order concerns for nearby neighbourhoods in densely populated districts such as Sham Shui Po.
Police said both managing a gambling establishment and gambling inside one are serious offences under Hong Kong’s Gambling Ordinance, with maximum penalties reaching a HK$5 million fine and seven years’ imprisonment for operators, and a HK$50,000 fine and nine months’ jail for gamblers.