Members of the special duty team and task force of the Wong Tai Sin Police District raided a residential unit in Ngau Chi Wan at about 9:30 pm yesterday (9th) and smashed a suspected illegal baccarat gambling stall.
During the operation, officers arrested a 71-year-old local man surnamed Huang on suspicion of "operating a gambling establishment", and a 57-year-old local woman surnamed Huang was arrested on suspicion of "assisting in the operation of a gambling establishment".
In addition, 1 local man and 8 local women in the unit, aged between 42 and 62, were arrested on suspicion of "gambling in a gambling establishment".
During the operation, officers seized about 40 decks of poker, a small amount of benches, and gambling money and chips worth a total of about $700,000.
All arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation and must report to the police in mid-March.
On the same day, officers from the Anti-Triad Action Group of the Tai Po Police District raided a unit on Xin Fung Road, Sheung Shui at about 8:15 pm yesterday (9th) and smashed a baccarat stall.
During the operation, officers arrested a 29-year-old local man surnamed Li on suspicion of "operating a gambling establishment."
In addition, 10 men and 5 women in the unit, aged between 25 and 69, were arrested on suspicion of "gambling in a gambling establishment".
During the operation, officers seized a baccarat gaming table, 3 TV sets, 8 decks of playing cards, a batch of gambling equipment, suspected gambling money of about 97,000 yuan and chips with a face value of about 90,000 yuan.
According to the "Gambling Ordinance" Chapter 148 of the Laws of Hong Kong, anyone who operates or assists in the operation of illegal casinos can be sentenced to a maximum fine of 5 million and imprisonment for 7 years upon conviction.
It is also illegal for any person to gamble in a casino. On first conviction, he can be sentenced to a fine of 30,000 yuan and imprisonment for 9 months.
Wong Tai Sin Police District smashed Ngau Chi Wan suspected illegal baccarat gambling stalls and arrested 11 people.
(provided by the police)
