{"id":159570,"date":"2020-12-25T06:09:06","date_gmt":"2020-12-25T14:09:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=159570"},"modified":"2020-12-25T07:42:30","modified_gmt":"2020-12-25T15:42:30","slug":"sixteen-arrested-3m-in-chips-seized-after-hong-kong-cops-raid-upscale-casino","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/sixteen-arrested-3m-in-chips-seized-after-hong-kong-cops-raid-upscale-casino\/","title":{"rendered":"Sixteen Arrested, $3M in Chips Seized After Hong Kong Cops Raid Upscale Casino"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Hong Kong police raid of a suspected luxury casino led to 16 arrests this week. Authorities also seized approximately HK$24 million (US$3 million) worth of chips, HK$215,000 (US $27,711) in currency, and 200 sets of playing cards from the operation, according to local news reports.<\/p>\n

\"The
Hong Kong police lead away several suspects this week after the raid of an alleged illegal casino. It targeted high rollers. (Image: The Standard<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Those apprehended included 11 suspects described as high rollers. They were arrested at the luxury apartment complex in the Tsim Sha Tsui retail district, the South China Morning Post<\/em>, a local regional newspaper, reported.<\/p>\n

The suspects include a barrister and four directors of Hong Kong-based financial service firms, the report adds. Three students studying at universities were also among the suspects.<\/p>\n

\n

Police suspect it was a lucrative operation run by an alleged criminal gang.\u00a0 \u201cWe believe its daily turnover reached up to HK$10 million [US $1.3 million], and the gang could pocket HK$1 million [US$129,000] per night,\u201d a police official revealed to the South China Morning Post<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The casino started operating in October, police sources told the newspaper. Still, the price to play at the gaming operation was high. Bets started at HK$100,000 (US$12,889).<\/p>\n

Casino Operators Tied to Organized Crime, Police Say<\/h2>\n

Also arrested in the raid was the alleged boss of the suspected casino. Police claim he has ties to organized crime, known as the \u201ctriad<\/a>\u201d in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

\n

If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison. He could be fined up to HK$5 million (US $644,450.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Three women who worked as dealers on the gaming floor were also apprehended. Each was suspected of operating a gambling establishment, as well as assisting the operation of an illegal gambling den or unlawful gambling.<\/p>\n

If convicted, the dealers could spend up to nine months in prison. They could also be forced to pay as much as a HK$30,000 (US $3,867) fine.<\/p>\n

More arrests are possible. The gaming operation was shuttered after the police raid.<\/p>\n

As of mid-week, none of the suspects had been formally charged by Hong Kong police. Police began investigating the operation last month after they became suspicious.<\/p>\n

The alleged casino was situated in a soundproofed penthouse apartment in a luxury building known as The Masterpiece. The duplex apartment has a view of Victoria Harbor.<\/p>\n

The gaming floor was located on the apartment\u2019s lower floor. It included at least one baccarat table, the South China Morning Post <\/em>said.<\/p>\n

Whiskey, Cigars, and Wine Served to High Rollers<\/h2>\n

Upstairs, whiskey and red wine were served. Cigars were available, too.<\/p>\n

Entry into the gaming operation was restricted to regular players. The casino limited hours to three to four times a week, typically from 8 pm to 1 am.<\/p>\n

Rent for the apartment reportedly was HK $130,000 a month. That works out to about US$16,756 per month.<\/p>\n

The Masterpiece has 345 luxury apartments. A Hyatt Regency Hotel and shopping center are also located there.<\/p>\n

In an unrelated inquiry, in March a Hong Kong illegal gaming racket, which obtained $1.8 million from eight gambling dens<\/a> in just a half year, was broken up by local police in a series of raids, police revealed.<\/p>\n

Three ringleaders and 26 other suspects were arrested in March and more arrests were possible, news reports add.<\/p>\n

Police allege most of the players in the March incident had ties to the \u201cunderworld,\u201d the South China Morning Post<\/em> claimed, based on statements from officials. The players included suspected drug traffickers, as well as members of triads, police sources told the newspaper.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Hong Kong police raid of a suspected luxury casino led to 16 arrests this week. Authorities also seized approximately HK$24 million (US$3 million) worth of chips, HK$215,000 (US $27,711) in currency, and 200 sets of playing cards from the operation, according to local news reports. Those apprehended included 11 suspects described as high rollers. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":159573,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[69069],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n16 Arrests, $3M in Chips Seized After Hong Kong Cops Raid Casino<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A raid of a suspected illegal casino in Hong Kong led to 16 arrests. 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