Editorial | Online gambling will remain a problem that must be watched
- Gambling beyond government-sanctioned outlets is banned in China but pandemic restrictions have seen some gamblers turn to illegal online platforms, which can be especially problematic. Authorities must be willing to act on an issue that is not going away
Gambling beyond government-sanctioned outlets is banned in China, whether on the mainland, in Hong Kong or the world’s leading gaming centre, Macau.
The reasons are concerns about underage betting, links to criminal activities and addiction. Covid-19 poses an extra challenge, with lockdowns and restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus forcing the closure of or limitations on venues like casinos, prompting some people to turn to illegal online platforms.
With the Omicron variant threatening to prolong the pandemic, the number of crackdowns and arrests are likely to increase.
Eleven people were recently arrested by Macau police for alleged involvement in overseas online gambling platforms and suspected money-laundering. Among them was Alvin Chau Cheok-wa, the gaming hub’s largest junket operator. He is accused of leading a syndicate that encouraged Chinese to bet on a website set up in the Philippines and lending them wagers and providing clearing services through an underground bank.
Chinese laws were changed a year ago making it a crime to “set up or manage casinos overseas” and “organise or solicit” Chinese to go abroad to gamble.