Cross-border operations make dent in illegal online gambling in Guangdong

Police in southern China said on Thursday they are making progress in fighting cross-border online gambling with help from foreign counterparts.

An operation launched by police in Guangdong province and Hong Kong snared 48 suspects on the Chinese mainland in December. Officers seized 7 million yuan ($1.1 million) in cash and froze bank accounts holding 21 million yuan.

Hong Kong police detained another 23 suspects, seized HK$2.6 million ($332,500) in cash, and froze bank accounts holding more than HK$100 million.

In April, Guangdong police and counterparts in the Philippines detained 135 suspects in joint operations in the two countries. More than 145 million yuan worth of assets, including 33.89 million yuan in cash, was seized.

Despite the achievements, Chinese police will remain vigilant, the Guangdong Public Security Department said in a statement on Thursday.

“We are seeking to further expand cooperation with foreign counterparts to fight cross-border gambling and other crimes,” it said. 

More operations will be launched in Guangdong in the coming weeks, it said, as activities usually peak during the Lunar New Year holiday, which this year begins Feb 15. 

Guangdong police detained 220,354 suspected gamblers last year, the statement added.