During a crackdown aimed at 252 illegal establishments and entertainment venues spread citywide across three days, Hong Kong authorities have completed 347 total arrests connected to triad-controlled sex, drug, and gambling businesses. 

Uncovered Illegal Businesses, Closed Down

The hundreds of drug dens, gambling venues, and pubs that did not carry any licenses to function were visited by the police Friday through Sunday in collaboration with fire and immigration services as part of a complex, multi-department action aimed at discovering illegal businesses. 

Among the visited entertainment venues, the police mentioned game centers, mahjong parlors, pubs, nightclubs, and saunas. 

A police spokesman explained the illegal businesses that did not comply with the law were “closed down.” Besides the 252 locals who were placed under arrest, the authorities also retained 13 mainlanders and three people who were illegally staying in the city.

Similarly, in  February 2023, the Hong Kong Police Force announced it arrested 234 individuals, including dozens of suspected triad members during operation Levington.

Fighting Off Triad Activities, a Top Priority

According to a recent police statement, all 347 suspects were detained on suspicion of various offenses. The list featured trafficking in a dangerous drug, claims to be members of a triad society, managing gambling establishments, criminal damages, managing drug dens, wounding, or accusations related to laundering crime proceeds.

The police spokesperson further emphasized that “Combating triad activities is one of the top priorities of the commissioner of police.”

The spokesperson added that the authorities will keep enhancing intelligence gatherings and taking “timely and targeted law enforcement actions” against violent crimes, organized crime activities, and their income sources.

Last October, two high-profile incidents related to gangsters in the New Territories convinced the authorities to perform two similar triad crackdown operations across the city.

During one of the four-day anti-triad operations, police officers raided entertainment venues run by the triad, while deciding to shut down a series of brothels and gambling dens.

Between October 26 and 29, police made 46 arrests, including the “Bei Wing,” the alleged leader of the Sun Yee On faction in Tuen Mun.

Last December, law enforcement in Hong Kong made over 100 arrests while shutting down gambling dens, and seizing cash, bank cards, and criminal proceeds.  

In the first 10 months of 2023, police authorities tackled no less than 1,620 different reports of crimes tied to triads, marking a 2.2% rise from the 1,585 cases that were recorded in the same period of 2022.

The post Hong Kong Police Arrests 347 During Three-Day Operation appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Despite the efforts of law enforcement, illegal gambling activities are common across China. Last month alone, law enforcement in Hong Kong busted multiple brothels and gambling dens in operations that resulted in the arrest of more than 300 people allegedly involved in those activities. The combined efforts of Hong Kong police authorities against triad operations in November saw more than 2,000 officers participate.

Now, the crackdown against illegal gambling and associated crimes continues. As announced by the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong police operations between November 2 and December 2 resulted in the arrest of 130 people, suspected of participating in money laundering and illegal gambling. The report cited police data released Sunday, estimating that the people involved in the illicit activity were able to launder some HK$15 million ($1.92 million).

Between Friday and Sunday, law enforcement arrested five men and three women believed to be involved in a money laundering operation. Among the detainees were transport workers, bar owners, businessmen and beauty salon managers. Out of the eight people arrested, four were believed to be triad gang members. One of the detained individuals was believed to be the ringleader of the money laundering operation.

Citing an investigation, the Hong Kong police said that the alleged leader of the money laundering syndicate used bank accounts belonging to different businesses to transfer large sums of money. The individual is believed to be involved in different companies, but investigators found no legal businesses belonging to the suspect.

Allegedly, the leader of the money laundering operation was able to conduct more than 600 money transactions. The illicit activity has reportedly been ongoing for 10 years, starting from 2013, according to a senior inspector from the New Territories North anti-triad unit.

Law Enforcement Shuts Down Illegal Gas Station, Gambling Dens

Police detained more than 120 more people, allegedly tied to five illegal gambling dens as well as an illegal gas station. One of the illegal venues offered baccarat, while two offered gambling machines with fishing games. Two other illegal venues offered mahjong games.

Raids were conducted in Sheung Shui and Ta Kwu Ling, during which law enforcement detained 122 individuals. The detainees were between the ages of 20 and 75, consisting of 66 women and 64 men. During the raids, police seized various items, including bank cards, cash and documents. Proceeds that were allegedly accumulated from the illegal activities estimated at HK$2.5 million ($320,000) were also seized. While some of the alleged culprits were released on bail, others already face charges. The Hong Kong police did not rule out additional arrests.

The post Police in Hong Kong Shuts Gambling Dens, Arrests 130 People appeared first on Keno Wizard.

In a significant development in the world of Asian gaming, the billionaire Cheng family from Hong Kong has officially taken over the management of the Hoiana casino resort in Vietnam. The resort, located near the vibrant Vietnamese port city of Da Nang, was formerly operated by the Suncity Group, a business empire led by the now-jailed Macau gambling tycoon, Alvin Chau. 

A Lavish $4B Joint Project by Chow Tai Fook, LET Group, and VinaCapital

The Hoiana resort is a joint venture between Chow Tai Fook, LET Group, and investment management firm VinaCapital. Boasting an impressive array of amenities, the resort includes a sprawling casino with 140 gaming tables and over 350 gambling machines, a luxurious golf course, and opulent hotels carrying the renowned Cheng family brands, New World and Rosewood. Currently, additional facilities are under construction, bringing the total investment in the resort to an estimated $4 billion.

The Cheng family’s takeover of the Hoiana resort comes in the aftermath of Alvin Chau’s legal troubles, leading to his imprisonment in Macau. Chau, who previously ran Macau’s most prominent junket operator, spearheaded an immensely profitable industry that attracted affluent players from mainland China through the provision of private jets, lavish suites, and generous gambling credits. However, the entire sector faced a severe blow following Beijing’s stringent crackdown, citing concerns over capital outflows and potential money laundering.

Following Chau’s fall from grace, Suncity Group Holdings Ltd., the listed unit of his empire, underwent a transformation under the leadership of executive director Andrew Lo. Rebranded as LET Group, the company has since distanced itself from junket operations.

Hoiana Resort’s Management Shift Reflects a Growing Trend

The shift in management at the Hoiana resort aligns with a broader trend among Macau junket operators. Faced with stricter regulations and higher taxes on home soil, many of these operators are actively seeking opportunities in Southeast Asia, with Vietnam standing out as one of the most attractive destinations as reported by Bloomberg. 

Vietnam offers more relaxed regulations and the opportunity to share VIP revenue with casinos, a model that was abandoned in Macau following China’s crackdown. Additionally, since Vietnamese law prohibits local residents from gambling in most facilities, casinos in the country heavily rely on high-rolling foreign players.

Vietnam’s tourism industry is also experiencing a post-pandemic boom, with visitor arrivals bouncing back to 66% of pre-pandemic levels in the first six months of the year. The country’s resilience in attracting tourists is particularly impressive, given that Chinese tourists, who previously comprised nearly one-third of Vietnam’s visitors, are yet to return en masse due to a shortage of international flights.

Beyond Vietnam, the Cheng family‘s foray into the international gaming scene has also extended to Australia, where they have become key investors in the Star Entertainment Group. Collaborating with another Hong Kong-based conglomerate, Far East Consortium International Ltd., they are jointly developing a formidable $3.6 billion gambling resort in Brisbane.

The post Hong Kong Billionaire Cheng Family Takes Control of Vietnam Casino Resort appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Last October, a criminal gang from Hong Kong was arrested after it was discovered that it had collected HK$40 million ($510,000) using an illegal gambling platform run by the members of the organization. 

Now, further proving its ongoing efforts to crack down on the triads that are usually connected to illegal gambling, sex and drug trafficking, the authorities in the special administrative region have announced the results of another impressive operation with code name Levington. 

Hong Kong Police Sparing No Effort to Block Triads’ Income Sources 

The police forces’ investigation around the city was intended to disrupt the sale of drugs, as well as brothel and gambling activities controlled by gangs and triads. The authorities’ efforts were also aimed at stopping illegal debt collection along with illegal money lending. The operation, which was led by the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, resulted in the successful confiscation of illegal cigarettes and drugs along with weapons, cards, and gambling chips. 

This was possible after police forces forcefully shut down 15 different gambling dens and two brothels and busted a storage center in Tin Shui Wai that was hiding contraband cigarettes.

The same authorities that announced they would adopt a zero-tolerance policy for the illegal activities of triads arrested a total of 234 suspects. 

The bust covered dozens of suspected members belonging to a number of triad factions such as Sun Yee On and 14K triads. The list included 206 Hong Kong residents and 12 people with origins in mainland China. The other 16 individuals who were busted used temporary identification documents which allowed them to stay in Hong Kong without having a job there. 

The 137 men and 97 women were busted on suspicion of wounding, money laundering, criminal intimidation and damage, possession of offensive weapons, drug trafficking, processing illegal cigarettes, illegal gambling activities, and operating vice or gambling venues. 

The Police Confiscated HK$2M in Gambling Chips 

Besides the HK$220,000 (US$28,039) worth of illegal narcotics that were confiscated as a result of the special operation, the authorities also got their hands on HK$5.9 million ($752,000) from illicit cigarettes and HK$2 million ($255,000) from confiscated gambling chips. The Hong Kong Police Force also managed to successfully seize HK$1.93 million ($246,000) worth of cash, two vehicles, and illegal weapons.

In 2022, the police authorities were handed 2,554 reports regarding crimes related to triads in Hong Kong, a number that was 35.3% higher compared to the previous year’s figure. In September 2022, three police officers in Hong Kong faked a raid in order to protect an unlicensed casino. After their actions were discovered and reported to the police by an undercover officer, the trio was arrested and sentenced to a few months in prison.

The post Hong Kong Police Cracks Down on Triad Members in Operation Levington appeared first on Keno Wizard.