Tai Po mahjong gambling den raided, 17 arrested
SingTao · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Tai Po District police officers raided a flat in Tai Kwong Lane at about 6pm on August 13 after what authorities described as an in-depth investigation, uncovering a suspected illegal gambling venue centred on mahjong play.
A 69-year-old local man surnamed To was arrested as the alleged person in charge, while 16 other people inside the unit were arrested on suspicion of gambling in a gambling establishment.
Those arrested were aged between 57 and 84, making the oldest suspect 84 years old.
Police said some of those arrested have been charged and are due to appear at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on August 21, while four others were released on bail pending further investigation.
Key Points
- The Tai Po District Special Duty Squad carried out the operation at a unit in Tai Kwong Lane at around 6pm on August 13.
- Officers seized three mahjong tables, three sets of mahjong gambling equipment, a batch of furniture and HK$1,320 in cash.
- The 69-year-old male suspect, surnamed To, was arrested for operating a gambling establishment and for gambling in it.
- The other arrestees comprised five men and 11 women, all local residents, aged from 57 to 84.
- Police said 11 of the arrested people were each provisionally charged with gambling in a gambling establishment, while four were bailed.
Why It Matters
The case shows continued police attention on neighbourhood gambling operations run from residential units, which can draw repeated foot traffic and nuisance into older urban blocks.
It also underlines the legal risks for both operators and players, with police citing maximum penalties under Hong Kong’s Gambling Ordinance for running or gambling in such venues.