Hong Kong part of Asian anti-soccer gambling operation

Hong Kong Police will join forces with seven Asian countries to stamp out illegal bookmaking activities in the region. The move is in response to the growing concern of transnational syndicated soccer gambling activities in Asian counties.

Interpol instigated the cross-regions operation, code-named "SOGA" in January this year. Seven Asian countries including China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam participated in the operation.

Between October 24 and November 18, enforcement actions intensified in all seven participating countries.

In Hong Kong, police arrested 36 people during 32 successful raids. Three illegal soccer bookmaking servers and betting slips worth about $31.5 million were seized.

Apart from soccer bookmaking, Hong Kong Police also arrested 19 people in connection with seven horseracing cases and one other case of illegal gambling and seized $ 33 million worth of betting slips.

Intelligence was also provided to law enforcement agencies of the participating countries about illegal soccer gambling activities in their countries.

The police are committed to tackling illegal bookmaking activities, which is a lucrative source of income for triad and organised crime syndicates.

Similar operations will be held in the future to tackle illegal bookmaking.


Police Report No. 1
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Friday, November 23, 2007