In 2021, the Mainland Chinese government investigated some 17,000 cases of cross-border gambling and identified more than 80,000 suspects in association with those crimes. The figures were made public January 6 by the country’s Ministry of Public Security.
According to GGRAsia, the statement reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to a “nationwide” crackdown on cross-border gambling, most recently highlighted by the arrest and imprisonment of Suncity junket chief Alvin Chau.
“Domestic crackdown actions on customer solicitation networks, money laundering activities and illicit financing channels used by large-size overseas gambling groups were successful,” said the ministry.
It added, “There were targeted actions against cross-border gambling groups using shell companies or corporate accounts to transfer gambling capital” out of Mainland China.
The ministry said it had “effectively curbed” cross-border gambling promotion activities targeted at Mainland Chinese citizens by shutting down or blocking gambling websites and mobile phone apps.
In 2021, the Chinese authorities dismantled more than “2,200 internet gambling platforms” as well as more than “1,600 illicit payment platforms and underground banks,” the ministry continued.
China’s amended criminal code, which took effect last March, makes it illegal for anyone to assist in cross-border gambling. Authorities said at the time that it would be more lenient with suspects who named others involved in the activity.
The ministry also said that a “blacklist” of “key” jurisdictions that solicited Mainland gamblers were used throughout 2021. Authorities have never released details of blacklisted markets.
