China investigated over 17,000 cross-border gambling cases in 2021
Authorities in China revealed more than 17,000 cross-border gambling cases were handled in 2021.
China.- The country’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 2,200 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 1,100 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).
The CAC’s proposal included enhancing precision strikes on overseas gambling groups, strengthening supervision of blockchain services and related platforms and forming an effective structure within responsible authorities.
In 2020 China also established a blacklist of destinations to which cross-border transfers are controlled.
The blacklist is compiled through work by multiple departments, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security.
