"Hong Kong 01" found that a number of Internet celebrities (KOLs) recently promoted the peripheral online casino in a high-profile social media, and some people blew themselves up and attracted nearly 8 million yuan in betting in two days.
Among them, Su Miaomiao, who had been robbed of her house, shared the online casino on Instagram's time-limited story for several days. Faced with reporters' questions, she retorted, "You call the police."
Some KOLs who have been invited by online casinos to assist in promotion revealed that such remuneration is more than six times higher than other advertising remunerations, and they can even draw commissions based on the betting amount.
The barrister said the promotion of peripheral online casinos may be involved in the offence of "promoting or facilitating the taking of bets".
▼Multiple KOLs promote online casinos▼
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Daily KOL promotions attract millions of bets
The heads of Macau casinos Sun City and Dejin, Zhou Zhuohua (Ximihua) and Chen Ronglian, were successively arrested by the Macau Judicial Police. They were suspected of illegally operating gambling and money laundering. The mainland indictment also accused the two groups of illegally operating online gambling.
In Hong Kong, it is also illegal to operate or participate in online casinos, but the promotion of online casinos is becoming more and more rampant.
"Hong Kong 01" has collected at least ten KOLs to promote online casinos on instagram. Some people will publish at least one story for a limited time almost every day, some "share with users", and some "teach" the secret skills of winning money, and more Some people say that they have attracted nearly 8 million yuan in betting in the two days.
▼KOL Su Miaomiao publishes limited-time news related to online casino gambling▼
Propaganda Su Miaomiao almost every day: What about your reporter?
Among them, Su Miaomiao, who had been robbed of her house, has more than 90,000 instagram followers, and she publishes limited-time news related to online casino gambling almost every day, such as "Little Bo Da", "Enter $20,000 to win $180,000", etc.
The reporter called Su Miaomiao to inquire. She first said that she did not participate in gambling. ? You're calling the police!"
The KOL "Su Hailin" has received invitations from several online casinos in the past six months to assist in promotion, but she did not accept the invitation in the end.
(Photo by Yu Junliang)
Su Hailin was once recruited by the casino and could get a 5% commission
"Su Hailin", who has about 10,000 followers on Instagram, has received invitations from several online casinos to help promote it in the past six months. "Every IG story is worth 3,000 yuan. It only takes a few screenshots and a few shots. In one word, I said that I was easy and profitable, and I spent a lot less time and effort than shooting other commercials.” She bluntly stated that the compensation is three to six times higher than that of other advertisers.
She revealed that even a website invites her to promote it on social media every day with a basic salary of 30,000 yuan. If it successfully attracts players to bet, she can get a 5% commission on the betting amount, and the maximum monthly remuneration can reach 100,000 yuan.
According to her observation, online casinos will focus on finding some people who are "sexierly dressed and seen by many people" for publicity, in order to attract male customers to become players.
She admitted that she had been tempted, but she gave up because she was afraid of breaking the law.
▼Online casinos invite KOLs to assist in publicity▼
FPS or local bank transfer available
In these online casinos, players need to register their real names and transfer money with FPS, Alipay or local bank cards. The minimum deposit is generally HK$100. The casinos also require players to bind their bank cards to facilitate deposits and withdrawals.
Some FPS accounts that accept gambling funds are registered with a phone number. The reporter tried to call, but could not get through.
▼Online casino deposit interface▼
Malta denies claim to own multi-national gambling license
Some online casino sites claim to have legal licenses from overseas casinos, such as the European Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license, the UK Gambling Commission license (Gambling Commission) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming License (PAGCOR). A legal company recognized by international industry associations.
The Malta Gaming Authority responded to the inquiry, stating that the relevant website has not received any approval from the Gaming Authority and has never authorized the website to use its logo; the other two licensing agencies have not responded yet.
Online casino sites claim to have legal licenses for overseas casinos.
(screenshot of gambling website)
The English version states that Hong Kong residents are prohibited from opening accounts
The English version of some websites states that residents of the United States, Singapore, the Philippines and Hong Kong are not allowed to open accounts on the website, and that the website will regularly check their registration anomalies and will immediately suspend any player accounts in these countries and regions indefinitely. , but the Chinese version has no relevant information.
These sites also hide information about registered companies and have no contact information, making it difficult to trace which casinos or syndicates operate.
The English version of some websites states that residents of the United States, Singapore, the Philippines and Hong Kong are not allowed to open accounts on the website, but the Chinese version has no relevant information.
(screenshot of gambling website)
Betting in Hong Kong is illegal gambling Barrister: publicity also involves aiding and abetting
The above online casinos are not licensed by the Hong Kong government.
Barrister Lu Weixiong said that even if the relevant online casinos set up companies overseas and have local gambling licenses, as long as the casinos accept players to bet in Hong Kong, whether they are bettors or bettors, they may violate Hong Kong's "Gambling". Ordinance: "You place a bet against a computer in Hong Kong, and the whole act is to conduct a gambling activity in Hong Kong, which must not work." According to the "offenses related to gambling and lottery activities" under the "Gambling Ordinance", once convicted, the maximum penalty can be punished. $5 million and seven years in prison.
Some online casino sites accept bank transfers in Hong Kong, and some are personal accounts. Lu Weixiong bluntly said that even if he is only responsible for accepting bets and does not operate a casino, it is illegal.
Barrister Lu Weixiong said that even if the relevant online casinos set up companies overseas and have local gambling licenses, as long as the casinos accept players to bet in Hong Kong, whether they are bettors or bettors, they may violate Hong Kong's "Gambling". Regulations.
(File photo/Photo by Luo Junhao)
As for whether KOLs are legally responsible for publishing advertising leaflets?
Lu Weixiong said that as long as his purpose is to encourage others to participate in online gambling, it is also aiding and abetting.
Under the Gambling Ordinance "promoting or facilitating the taking of bets", the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for seven years.
The Police Force replied that the police conduct online patrols from time to time to collect whether illegal gambling activities are being conducted online.
If illegal acts are discovered, the police will conduct investigations and take enforcement actions. In the first 11 months of last year, more than 5,211 people were arrested by the police for illegal gambling offences, which is more than the figures in the past three years, but the number is not broken down Numbers for online casinos.
It is also an offence to operate or participate in an online casino in Hong Kong.
(Photo by Cen Zhuoxi)
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