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Clifford Lo

Police raided a flat in Sha Tin yesterday, seizing illegal World Cup soccer betting slips  worth about $12 million  in the biggest bookmaking operation uncovered since the event started on June 9.

The flat owner,  a 43-year-old wine dealer, and a male associate, 51, were arrested  after  officers entered a unit in Ka Keng Court on Hin Keng Street  at about 2.30am, according to the police.

Investigators said the two men returned to the flat for a late-night meal during a  break in cup games. Officers seized betting slips with an estimated value of $12 million, as well as a computer, four mobile phones, and a digital recorder.

The computer was found connected to an overseas gambling website, said Chief Inspector Cheung Hang-wai, Sha Tin district operation officer.

'We are investigating whether the two suspects are linked to overseas illegal bookmaking,' he said.

Chief Inspector Cheung said computer experts from the Commercial Crime Bureau  would examine the computer and its contents for evidence.

Senior Inspector Lilian  Ho Lai-chi of Sha Tin police station said:  'We believe the bookmaking centre had been in operation for about a month. They collected bets through mobile phones.

'The bets they collected varied from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Initial investigation showed the biggest single bet was $390,000.'

Yesterday's raid was  carried out after police received a tip-off and the flat had been placed under surveillance for several days. Officers said the two suspects refused to answer questions.

In another raid, police closed a bookmaking centre operating out of a flat in Soy  Street, Mongkok. Acting on a tip-off, officers raided the unit at 3am and arrested a 50-year-old man. Betting slips with a face value of $60,000 were seized.

The three men arrested in the two operations were detained for questioning last night but had not been charged.

The two raids are part of an operation to combat illegal soccer gambling during the World Cup tournament.

A police source said punters placed bets  at illegal centres because bookmakers offered discounts and a variety of betting combinations unavailable at the Jockey Club.  Illegal bookies also accept bets on credit.

Since the start of the World Cup, Hong Kong police have arrested 35 people on suspicion of bookmaking, including the three arrested yesterday. More than $46 million worth of betting slips have been seized.

'Police have a comprehensive intelligence network and are capable of combating illegal soccer gambling activities in the city,' Chief Inspector Cheung said.



Police seize World Cup soccer betting slips valued at $12m