Chongqing law enforcement has investigated 62 criminal cases of rural gambling since December 2023, dismantling 26 criminal gangs and resolving 174 public security cases related to gambling, according to a report on the national crackdown published by Sixth Tone on February 6, 20241. The southwestern city's figures form part of the "Clear Wind 2024" campaign, which authorities across various regions have initiated1.
The Chongqing numbers sit inside a broader effort that began in November 2022, when the Ministry of Public Security started a campaign to dismantle illegal casinos and halt gambling gatherings in rural areas1. Official statistics cited in the report indicate a 23.1% decrease in rural gambling incidents in the six months after that campaign launched, compared with the same period a year earlier1.
The same report described a separate case in Zhuji City, in eastern Zhejiang province, where 19 people were arrested for operating an illegal mobile casino near a graveyard1. Authorities said the group, which included drivers and lookouts, ran gambling sessions between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.1. Three people, including the organizer identified only by the surname Hu, were transferred to the prosecutor's office on charges of operating a gambling house, while the other participants were detained, the local public security bureau told The Paper1. The group had operated the mobile casino on five previous occasions, generating profits of nearly 20,000 yuan (about $2,812), with a minibus for transport, lookouts on the mountainside, braziers, food, cigarettes, betel nuts and a lending service for gamblers1.
Under Chinese law, people caught participating in gambling can be detained for up to 15 days and fined up to 3,000 yuan, while organizers face up to 10 years in prison and may face additional fines1. Qi Xiguo, an inspector with the Ministry of Public Security, said gambling groups have become more systematic and organized, forming "professional groups" that relocate to remote areas along provincial, city and county borders where enforcement is less stringent1.
"The targeted crackdowns have yielded some positive outcomes, yet they also underscore the persistent issue of gambling in rural regions. The ability of these 'professional' underground casinos to move and hide their operations continues to grow."
The report said gambling activity tends to increase around Spring Festival, as people returning to their hometowns from cities become prime targets for local gambling operations1. It also said gambling in secluded locations and mobile setups designed to evade police detection are increasingly prevalent, particularly in rural parts of provinces including Yunnan, Shanxi and Anhui1. In Anhui, police used a drone with an infrared camera to locate suspects without alerting lookouts1.
What it means for players
The penalties described apply to gambling activity in China, including rural areas where mobile and underground operations have been targeted. Participants can face detention of up to 15 days and fines of up to 3,000 yuan, while organizers face up to 10 years in prison plus possible fines1. The enforcement figures cover criminal cases, gangs and public security cases, so they reflect action against operators and participants rather than any change to what is legal. Details of how the Chongqing cases were processed, and whether any involved foreign nationals, have not been reported1. For the general legal position, see Can I Gamble in China? and What Happens If You Are Caught Gambling in China.
What happens next
The "Clear Wind 2024" campaign is underway across various regions, and authorities are using new technology and methods against rural gambling operations1. No further dated steps for Chongqing have been reported1.
Sources1 sources
- Zhejiang Police Dismantle Graveyard Gambling Ring, Arrest 19, sixthtone.com
