Uncovered: $3.9 Billion Illicit Gambling Syndicate in China, Primarily Targeting South Korea
Fresh Take:
It seems China's got a not-so-secret secret crush on keeping its citizens and overseas locales free from the clutches of gambling, especially illicit ones. That said, it looks like they're not just playing coy, as they've proven their seriousness in reining in illicit gambling rings. Last weekend, law enforcers in Incheon went all in and busted a criminal organization that has spent years pulling off an elusive gambling scheme, targeting Korean players, and raking in a staggering $3.9 billion.
A Blockbuster Bust
The ring, known for its ability to evade authorities, has managed to stay one step ahead for nearly eight years. This cunning operation had 20 suspects arrested, while the remaining 171 will face charges, although they remain at large. The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency reported that the suspects had a hand in illegal operations since January 2014. It took the authorities this long to unearth their activity — the gambling websites kept shifting headquarters and dodging the cops.
It wasn't just the cops who were kept in the dark. Even non-essential participants of the ring were left in the dark. Strikingly, they were also spotted operating in Korea. It seems this organization was masters at wildlife migration, moving their operations from China to Korea and back whenever crackdowns were inevitable.
China's Long-Standing Gambling Game
China's antipathy towards gambling is no secret: they've been rumored to interfere in gambling industries abroad, like Cambodia and the Philippines, pushing local authorities to protect Chinese citizens from being sucked into illicit operations. They've also made similar efforts domestically, closing down thousands of illegal gambling establishments and pinching thousands of culprits.
If you have any information about someone running an illegal gambling business or participating in one and are looking to turn over a new leaf, China encourages you to spill the beans. Even if you've played a minor role, there's still a chance to clear your name.
Striking Down Illicit Gambling: Syslow and Steady
China remains vigilant in its mission to eradicate gambling-related crime in its territories, either controlled directly or indirectly. In addition to China, the Special Administrative Regions of Macau and Hong Kong have also come under the authorities' radar, with sweeps targeting illegal gambling. In Macau, the junket operator industry was severely audited, leading to the arrest of Alvin Chau and other big-time bosses. Just last week, an illegal gambling ring in Hong Kong was busted, racking up almost $5 million in stakes.
China's determination to stamp out gambling crime results from its view of gambling as a detrimental social and economic threat. While the cat-and-mouse game between operators and law enforcement rages on, one thing's for sure — China shows no signs of letting up its intensified efforts to crack down on illicit gambling.
- The authorities in Macau, similar to China, are actively working to curb the activities of illegal gambling rings, just like last week when an illicit gambling operation was dismantled, amassing nearly $5 million in stakes.
- China's persistent crackdown on gambling-related crimes extends to its Special Administrative Regions, as seen in the case of the junket operator industry in Macau, where Alvin Chau and other high-profile figures were arrested due to a systematic audit.
- While China's antipathy towards gambling is well-documented, not only does it rigorously enforce its laws domestically, but it also exerts such influence abroad, evident in its dealings with gambling industries in countries such as Cambodia and the Philippines, in an attempt to shield its citizens from participation in illicit gambling activities.
- As China continues its relentless pursuit of eradicating gambling-related crimes, it remains micromanaging its efforts across both its territories and Special Administrative Regions like Macau, demonstrating a general determination to eliminate all traces of illicit casino-and-gambling activities and the associated crime-and-justice issues that arise from them.
