CHINESE GAMBLING SWEEP TARGETS SHANGHAI

12 December 2008

500 punters and operators locked up

 

The Chinese government's drive against illegal gambling focused on the major urban and industrial city of Shanghai this week, with the Shanghai Daily newspaper reporting the arrest of over 500 persons alleged to be either gamblers or operators of illegal gambling facilities.

A widespread series of police raids throughout the city had been very successful, Shanghai Public Security Bureau spokesmen reported.

Gambling was found at 243 gaming parlours, among the 2 254 that were visited. City police closed 135 parlours without business licenses, and shut down 54 temporarily fopr license infringements, according to the police.