Hong Kong police arrest 200 after targeting gambling hubs offering e-payments

Hong Kong police have arrested more than 200 people in a crackdown on illegal gambling, with the force warning that operators are attracting patrons with easy e-payment options and all-day free catering.

The force said on Friday that those arrested included 15 property owners, four building tenants and a person holding an account used to receive the e-payments. Officers also seized gambling chips valued at HK$700,000 (US$89,600) and HK$20,000 in cash.

“Operators provided QR codes for gamblers to make online payments, which made the investigation even more difficult,” said Senior Inspector Kwok Man-wai of the New Territories North’s regional anti-triad unit.

He said that all-day free meals were offered to encourage gamblers to stay at the premises longer, with operators even attracting customers from mainland China.

Among the more than 200 arrestees, 21 held two-way permits, which are used by mainlanders to travel to Hong Kong and back, Kwok said.

Police said there had been a resurgence in illegal gambling establishments, which they attributed to property owners renting out their premises for such ventures.