Guests play slot machines on the gaming floor during the launch of full-scale sports betting at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino in Dover, Delaware, US. Photo: VCG

A total of 63,238 individuals in China were accused of illegally opening casinos between January 1 and September 30, 2021, a year-on-year increase of 40 percent, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said during a press conference on Monday. 

The procuratorate pointed out that the influence of the internet has pushed traditional gambling online, while pockets of offline gambling still exist, representing a big challenge for the authorities.  

China had formulated multiple laws to combat gambling in the country, but several criminal syndicates facilitate offshore gaming for Chinese citizens using overseas casinos, under the pretext that gambling abroad is legal. Some operators disguise gambling apps as recreational online poker or chess apps to attract users. 

Officials from the supreme procuratorate warned citizens to be aware of the apps that promote cash prizes or other expensive gifts, which are marked features of illegal gambling apps. 

In the fight against illegal gambling, the police in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) said on Sunday that 11 criminal suspects, including Macao tycoon Alvin Chau Cheok Wa, who were arrested and will be transferred to the local prosecutor's office pending further investigation, with several suspects confessing to having set up overseas gambling platforms among other illegal acts.

Analysts pointed out that the sentencing will be based on the law of the Chinese mainland, since the gambling platforms targeted and engaged residents from the mainland. 

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal published on Monday, multiple casino stocks fell after Alvin Chau, founder of Macao-based entertainment enterprise Suncity Group, was arrested. 

Global Times