PJ arrests four more in ‘e-betting’ cases at local casinos

The Judiciary Police (PJ) have announced, over two consecutive days, the arrest of four people in relation to cases of “online streaming gambling” (e-betting) at local casinos.

This type of case, made public for the first time just a couple of weeks ago, appears to have been occurring for a long time (several months or even years), according to an inquiry from lawmaker José Pereira Coutinho at the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

According to security authorities, who reported the cases last week during a press briefing on the criminal activity in the first semester of this year, these cases were just “a few isolated cases.”

Still, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the PJ announced the detention of four mainland men, in two groups, who were acting according to the previous description by using modified clothing items to support audio and video devices that allowed them to livestream their gaming activities over the internet.

According to information previously provided, these people act as “agents” who take bets from third parties and livestream the activity as proof of the results, an activity that is considered illegal betting.

In the most recent case, the PJ noted that it had detained two suspects, aged 26 and 40, following a tip-off from someone within the casino.

According to the report, which proved to be accurate, the suspects were using mobile phones to secretly film a baccarat game at a casino in Cotai.

To the PJ, the suspects said they had been hired to perform such an activity, earning about HKD400 each.

The police seized approximately HKD60,000 in cash and cash vouchers, three mobile phones, two Bluetooth headsets, and two modified clothing items.

On the previous day, the same force reported the arrest of another two suspects (aged 36 and 40) also at a baccarat table at a casino in Cotai.

The two suspects admitted to earning HKD500 each to perform the illegal activity.

In their possession, the PJ found HKD188,000 in cash and HKD311,000 worth of casino chips.