China intensifies efforts to combat cross-border gambling activities

China’s Ministry of Public Security stated on Tuesday that it has been tightening up inspections at internal immigration checkpoints as part of its ongoing efforts to curb “cross-border gambling” operations.

The administration reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying regional inquiries and keeping lines of communication open with foreign law enforcement organizations.

Wang Xiaohong, the minister of public security, was among the mainland officials who took part in a teleconference that day, according to a notification posted in Chinese on the ministry’s website.

Any “network” that the authorities discovered luring gamblers onto the mainland will be taken down, they said. They aim to get evidence and target people who organize and benefit from international gambling activities. Reducing chances for gaming activities is the aim of more stringent border crossing procedures.

The declaration also emphasized the need of taking action against illegal payment networks and shadow banks that move funds for gaming companies. It was determined that in order to remove websites and mobile apps connected to gambling, routine approval processes were required.

The government promised to increase collaboration with international law enforcement agencies in an effort to reduce crimes associated with internet gambling, such as fraud, extortion, arrests, and kidnappings. China has bilateral law enforcement agreements in place with neighboring Southeast Asian countries, as well as with ASEAN, to strengthen cooperation in the fight against cross-border gambling, especially internet gaming.

The report did not provide exact numbers to back up its “preliminary” findings that there has been a decrease in the high level of cross-border gambling crime over the last year.

Original story by: GGRAsia