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Hong Kong Cybercafes Target Of Gambling Crackdown
By Adam Creed, Newsbytes
HONG KONG, CHINA,
09 May 2002, 6:33 AM CST
Soccer is extremely popular in Hong Kong and there's no shortage of people who like to gamble on the outcome of international and European matches. Their problem is that gambling is strictly regulated and police are cracking down on the operators of illegal betting operations and gamblers themselves.
Enter the 2002 World Cup, an international soccer tournament that's to be played in Korea and Japan this coming June. China's qualification for the first time in the competition's history and the convenient live viewing times for all Asian nations is certain to boost interest in Hong Kong, and likely increase the temptation to place bets.
Currently, gambling in Hong Kong is officially limited to licensed and monitored establishments.
Hong Kong police have prepared for a new wave of illegal soccer betting, and the government has confirmed officers will target various entertainment establishments that could be havens for illegal gambling.
Being targeted as well as bars and pubs is the humble cybercafe, usually home to Web surfers, hordes of online gamers and Net chatters.
"The police will pay conspicuous visits to licensed entertainment premises in the run-up to and during major international soccer events to advise the public not to engage in illegal soccer gambling," W K Lam, Hong Kong's Secretary for Home Affairs, said in the Legislative Council Wednesday.
Asked in the council whether police officers would "avoid interfering with the customers and normal operations of places for leisure such as pubs and cyber cafes during inspections," the secretary said officers would be there to advise the public not to engage in illegal soccer gambling.
"When conducting such visits, the responsible police officers will explain to the operators of the licensed premises the purpose of the visits," Lam said. "These visits usually last for a short time and would pose minimal inconvenience to the normal business operations of such premises."
But the secretary added that officers may also make "covert" visits to gather evidence or extend investigations.
He also confirmed that police officers would investigate people who place bets at home by telephone or on the Internet.
There are hundreds of soccer betting sites spread across the world, many of them legal in their own jurisdictions.
But under Hong Kong's Gambling Ordinance, betting with an illegal bookmaker is an offense which can attract a fine up to 30,000 Hong Kong dollars ($3,847) and nine months' imprisonment.
The Hong Kong government several years ago found that its original gambling laws had become inadequate in dealing with foreign companies taking bets from Hong Kong citizens.
To prevent even more operations targeting Hong Kong residents, the laws were amended in 2000 to make it illegal for offshore companies to promote bookmaking or take bets from Hong Kong residents.
The broadcast on TV or radio into Hong Kong of odds or tips for unauthorized horse or dog races was banned. But Web sites escaped the restrictions.
The government did not include Internet sites targeted at Hong Kong residents in the amendment. This was because, it believed, even if regulations were put in place, offshore bookmakers could easily evade the law by setting up Web sites outside Hong Kong.
By Adam Creed, Newsbytes
HONG KONG, CHINA,
09 May 2002, 6:33 AM CST
Soccer is extremely popular in Hong Kong and there's no shortage of people who like to gamble on the outcome of international and European matches. Their problem is that gambling is strictly regulated and police are cracking down on the operators of illegal betting operations and gamblers themselves.
Enter the 2002 World Cup, an international soccer tournament that's to be played in Korea and Japan this coming June. China's qualification for the first time in the competition's history and the convenient live viewing times for all Asian nations is certain to boost interest in Hong Kong, and likely increase the temptation to place bets.
Currently, gambling in Hong Kong is officially limited to licensed and monitored establishments.
Hong Kong police have prepared for a new wave of illegal soccer betting, and the government has confirmed officers will target various entertainment establishments that could be havens for illegal gambling.
Being targeted as well as bars and pubs is the humble cybercafe, usually home to Web surfers, hordes of online gamers and Net chatters.
"The police will pay conspicuous visits to licensed entertainment premises in the run-up to and during major international soccer events to advise the public not to engage in illegal soccer gambling," W K Lam, Hong Kong's Secretary for Home Affairs, said in the Legislative Council Wednesday.
Asked in the council whether police officers would "avoid interfering with the customers and normal operations of places for leisure such as pubs and cyber cafes during inspections," the secretary said officers would be there to advise the public not to engage in illegal soccer gambling.
"When conducting such visits, the responsible police officers will explain to the operators of the licensed premises the purpose of the visits," Lam said. "These visits usually last for a short time and would pose minimal inconvenience to the normal business operations of such premises."
But the secretary added that officers may also make "covert" visits to gather evidence or extend investigations.
He also confirmed that police officers would investigate people who place bets at home by telephone or on the Internet.
There are hundreds of soccer betting sites spread across the world, many of them legal in their own jurisdictions.
But under Hong Kong's Gambling Ordinance, betting with an illegal bookmaker is an offense which can attract a fine up to 30,000 Hong Kong dollars ($3,847) and nine months' imprisonment.
The Hong Kong government several years ago found that its original gambling laws had become inadequate in dealing with foreign companies taking bets from Hong Kong citizens.
To prevent even more operations targeting Hong Kong residents, the laws were amended in 2000 to make it illegal for offshore companies to promote bookmaking or take bets from Hong Kong residents.
The broadcast on TV or radio into Hong Kong of odds or tips for unauthorized horse or dog races was banned. But Web sites escaped the restrictions.
The government did not include Internet sites targeted at Hong Kong residents in the amendment. This was because, it believed, even if regulations were put in place, offshore bookmakers could easily evade the law by setting up Web sites outside Hong Kong.