THE CHINA MÁIL, JULY 11, 1938.
"TA-TAO"-FOSTERED GAMBLING DENS OPERATE OPENLY IN SHANGHAI
Shanghai's top-ranking residen: spread over a wide area in the wes- tial section in the western extra-tern districts, including the lanes Settlement road areas are to-day directly off Edinburgh Road, Great Con- on the verge of becoming the city's Western Road, Avenue Haig. 'most notorious locale where gam-naught Road, and Jessfield Road: bling dens carry on a rich trade with
PAY HIGH RENTS
the consent, knowledge and co-opera- Many private residential houses, tion of the "Ta-Tao Government" as well as smaller and less preten- and its successor, the "Shanghai tious structures, are being used by Administration. Directorate," in-the operators who are usually the vestigations made by The China racketeers and "loafers" of the area. Press revealed.
It is said that some of the larger houses pay as much as $300 to $500 a month for rent.
While no complete figures of the number of gambling dens now in operation are available, The China
The operators, in order to bring Press was informed by authorita-in customers, are also doing a cer- tive sources that at least 30 to 40 of tain amount of "advertising." these places
Part of this publicity campaign are to-day conduct- ing a flourishing business in houses is in the form of big red posters off the extra-Settlement Roads.
IS OPEN SECRET
with characters declaring: “So and So Recreation Club, third house in
: the lane, walk right_in.”- These Investigators found that it is an posters can be seen on the tele- open secret that the gambling tradephone poles and walls on the extra- |
is
being fostered by "Ta-Tao" gangs.
Settlement roads outside of the gam- bling establishments.
"Cumsha" money, in the form of
CANVASSERS EMPLOYED taxes, is being paid by the operat- At the same time, the operators ers, who thus far have encountered also employ a number of can- not the slightest interference from vassers, who approach likely clients those in charge of administrative' on the buses and on the streets. Chinese walking on Connaught,
affairs in the areas.
One of these investigators dis-Edinburgh, or Great Western Roads cribed the situation thus: "There are often handed invitation cards ig no secret that the "Ta-Tao" by these canvassers stating the people, or whoever are running the locations of the gambling points, in- the show in the western districts, vestigators found. are taking in big money from these gambling joints. I don't know how much, but I have reports that some $100,000 a month is going into the "Ta-Tao" coffers, or some private pockets along the line.".
་་་
to
Entrance restrictions - to these dens are lax. Any person, who does not look like a rival gangman is allowed by the "look-out" man enter the house. Investigators found that most of the customers fre- S.M.P. POWERLESS
quenting the dens are factory The police force of the Shang-workers, shop-keepers, servants, hai Municipal Council is powerless low-wage clerk and their women. as far as the gambling situation in
TOP BET $300
these areas are concerned. Located A large variety of gambling is in houses off the roads in an area conducted in the establishments, in- formerly controlled by the Greater cluding roulette, pai-chiu, dice Shanghai Bureau of Public Safety, games, poker and others. The top the gambling establishments are stake for one bet, is usually limit- outside of the S.M.C. jurisdiction. ed to around $200 to $300.,
These "semi-official" .. gambling Operators are said to have stated
(Continuéd at foot of Next Col.)
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found,
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that their daily turn-over amounts ally stationed inside to, about $15,000 to $20,000 for the ments and winners
ger dens, while smaller establish cash are sometimes ments have a trade of several thou, their money by the gangmen waiting sand dollars.
in the dark lanes; The Settlement ROBBERIES FREQUENT police, it is understood, has learned. Side by side with the gambling, that several killings, robberies and investigators found, gangsters who stabbings « have taken place around specialise in the "shake-down" and the gambling house off the extra- "stick-up" trades are also conduct Settlement roads. In this case, the ing a rich business around the dena: S.M.P. la again without power
Tip-off" men are said to be usu- interfore,
to
-