China Investigated More Than 17,000 Cross-border Gambling Cases Last Year

China’s Ministry of Public Security has recently stated it has investigated more than 17,000 cross-border gambling cases in 2021.

According to statements, more than 80,000 suspects have been detained while 2200 online gambling platforms were shut down.

The ministry stated: “Domestic crackdown actions on customer solicitation networks, money laundering activities and illicit financing channels used by large-size overseas gambling groups were successful.

“All endeavours will be made to resolutely deter cross-border gambling and eradicate the breeding ground for cross-border gambling.”

From March 1, 2021, China’s revised Criminal Law made it illegal for anyone who assists in cross-border gambling.

Before the entry into force of the new code, the three mainland law enforcement agencies issued a joint statement in early February last year, calling on individuals to surrender or assist in judicial investigations of cross-border gambling activities.

The authorities said at the time that in return they would consider lenient treatment when dealing with such issues.

The Ministry of Public Security of China pointed out that more than 1100 suspects whether in mainland China or elsewhere-had “surrendered” to the Chinese authorities regarding cross-border gambling crimes.

Last June, new measures to fight cross-border gambling were also announced by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).