Hong Kong Police on Thursday reminded the public not to bet with bookmakers or engage in illegal soccer gambling during the World Cup.

Organized Crime & Triad Bureau Chief Superintendent Choy Kin- cheung said Police have been closely monitoring soccer bookmaking and strenuous action will be taken to contain illegal betting, according to a government press release on Thursday.

He said the Police will focus on prevention, education, intelligence and enforcement.

The Police will also step up actions against identified targets and syndicates and a special team has been formed at Police Headquarters to co-ordinate the cultivation and dissemination of intelligence.

"Since their illicit business often involves off-shore operations, we have already secured the co-operation of the law enforcement agencies of a number of neighboring jurisdictions," Choy said.

Under the Gambling Ordinance, anyone engaging in illegal bookmaking is liable to a 5 million HK dollars (U.S.$641,025) fine and seven years in jail.