• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

China, Philippines in joint op against online casinos

Apr 28, 2017 Newsdesk Latest News, Philippines, Rest of Asia, Top of the deck  


China, Philippines in joint op against online casinos

A total of 99 suspects have been arrested in China and the Philippines on suspicion of involvement in organising online gambling. The detentions followed a joint operation by law enforcement authorities in the two countries.

The news was released by China’s Ministry of Public Security on Wednesday, state-owned news agency Xinhua reported.

Some forms of online gambling have previously been licensed by the Philippine authorities, but Chinese law prohibits its citizens from engaging in such activity.

The report stated a total of four gambling websites had been shut down during the operation. It added that more than 1,100 bank accounts and more than RMB70 million (US$10.16 million) of “illicit gains” had been frozen, according to China’s security ministry.

Xinhua said 55 suspects had been returned to China from the Philippines on Tuesday. The report didn’t clarify if those people were Chinese citizens.

But it said those held allegedly earned almost RMB600 million via online casinos that were based in the Philippines and were targeted at gamblers from mainland China.

“It is the first cross-border online gambling case jointly handled by the Chinese police and [a] foreign counterpart since China decided to crack down on such crimes,” the Xinhua report said.

It quoted China’s Ministry of Public Security saying it would continue “to intensify its investigation and handling of such cases and will also look to strengthen international cooperation in its efforts”.

Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun warned in March that China was to increase its efforts to suppress any attempts to entice Chinese people to visit overseas casinos to gamble. Chinese authorities would also step up action against illegal gambling, he said at the time.

The China-Philippines joint operation comes after more than 1,300 Chinese nationals were detained in November at Fontana Hot Spring Leisure Parks at Clark, Philippines. They were suspected of working illegally for an online gambling operator.

Fontana was at the time operated by Jimei Group, a firm headed by Jack Lam Yin Lok, a veteran investor in Macau junkets.

A proxy betting operation at Fontana – i.e., games conducted at physical casino tables with real dealers but with bets on the games accepted over the telephone, or via Voice Over Internet Protocol-enabled devices, from customers not physically present at the casino – had been mentioned in previous investment analyst notes.

Following the case at Fontana, the Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte ordered in December the seizure of all gaming assets in that country belonging to Mr Lam for the latter’s alleged failure to pay the correct taxes, local media reported at the time. Prior to that, Mr Duterte had ordered the arrest of Mr Lam on accusations of bribery and economic sabotage.

Mr Lam is not known to have issued any public statement or made any public appearance since the late November raids at his Fontana premises. Mr Lam, a Chinese national, reportedly left the Philippines on November 29.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Gaming recovery helps Melco Resorts EBITDA break even 4Q
    Gaming recovery helps Melco Resorts...

    Feb 26, 2021  

  • Int Ent half-year loss up, mulls financing for Manila IR
    Int Ent half-year loss up, mulls...

    Feb 25, 2021  

More news
  • Aristocrat to launch EGM-based responsible gaming features
    Aristocrat to launch EGM-based...

    Feb 26, 2021  

  • Suncity to open clubs at Londoner Macao, Lisboa Palace
    Suncity to open clubs at Londoner...

    Feb 26, 2021  


Latest News

Aristocrat to launch EGM-based responsible gaming features

Aristocrat to launch EGM-based responsible gaming features

Feb 26, 2021  

Casino slot machine maker and digital games provider Aristocrat Leisure Ltd says it plans to launch in the first quarter this year a new product with responsible gaming features, which has already...
Read More
Suncity to open clubs at Londoner Macao, Lisboa Palace

Suncity to open clubs at Londoner Macao, Lisboa Palace

Feb 26, 2021  

Tech supplier Crane ups forecast for 2021 core sales

Tech supplier Crane ups forecast for 2021 core sales

Feb 26, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day


US$53.4 million

Adjusted EBITDA reported by Asian casino operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment for the fourth quarter of 2020



Most Popular

  • Macau casino GGR soared in final days of CNY: brokeragesMacau casino GGR soared in final days of CNY: brokerages February 23, 2021
  • Pansy Ho sells off more stock in MGM Resorts for US$36mlnPansy Ho sells off more stock in MGM Resorts for US$36mln February 23, 2021
  • Macau VIP challenged by changes in China: Galaxy Ent bossMacau VIP challenged by changes in China: Galaxy Ent boss February 25, 2021
  • Galaxy Macau Phase 3 MICE to launch in stages says execGalaxy Macau Phase 3 MICE to launch in stages says exec February 24, 2021
  • Melco’s Lawrence Ho hopeful on Macau recovery in MarchMelco’s Lawrence Ho hopeful on Macau recovery in March February 26, 2021
Copyright 2014-2020 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us