Mahjong houses fall silent as China purifies its social environment
- Two more local governments ban game widely regarded as a national pastime but which others view as encouraging gambling
China’s “national pastime” of mahjong is facing a clampdown in a number of jurisdictions as part of a nationwide campaign against “dark and evil forces”.
Two local governments have ordered mahjong houses and poker rooms to be closed by Tuesday in a bid to “purify the social environment” and “improve the image of citizens”. Failure to comply carries a penalty of up to three years in jail.
According to separate police announcements issued on Sunday, the affected jurisdictions include Yushan county and Xinzhou, a district of Shangrao city, both in the eastern province of Jiangxi. The mahjong houses are noisy and often involve gambling, they said.
At least two cities in Hubei province, central China, and one in the southeastern province of Anhui issued similar announcements last month, accusing the entertainment establishments of providing a venue for crime, affecting people’s lives and corrupting social morals.
The orders have triggered controversy in China, where the four-person tile-based game is an important pastime to many, especially retirees. As life goes increasingly digital, mahjong houses are also considered an important opportunity to meet and engage with people socially.