XN000022-1989-06-02 — Page 2

FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989

HEAVIER PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING PROPOSED

* *

THE

AN AMENDMENT BILL SEEKING TO PROVIDE HEAVIER SENTENCES FOR

ENTERPRISES AND FOR THE IR CUSTOMERS OPERATORS OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.

PUBLISHED IN

THE

GAZETTE TODAY

(FRIDAY),

THE

TECHNICAL

GAMBLING AMENDMENTS

| AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 ALSO PROPOSES A NUMBER OF TO MAKE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION MORE EFFECTIVE.

FORWARD IN THE 1986 TRIAD "THE BILL STEMS FROM OPTIONS PUT

DEVELOPED IN DISCUSSION DOCUMENT AND THE PROPOSED MEASURES HAVE BEEN CONSULTATION WITH THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE," A

SAID.

GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

OPERATORS RUNNING

ΤΟ

UNDER THE AMENDMENTS, HE SAID, THE MAXIMUM FINES FOR

AND PEOPLE BOOKMAKERS OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING ENTERPRISES,

INCREASED FROM THE PRESENT $500,000 ILLEGAL LOTTERIES WILL BE $5 MILLION.

+

SYNDICATES WHICH RUN ILLEGAL "THE TRIAD AND ORGANISED CRIME

THESE 'BUSINESSES' AND GAMBLING OPERATIONS MAKE LARGE PROFITS FROM

TO SEEK THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF STRIKING BACK AT THE SYNDICATES IS TO DEPRIVE THEM OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF THEIR CAPITAL," HE SAID.

FREQUENTING ILLEGAL GAMBLING IN ORDER TO DETER PUNTERS FROM

INCREASE AND BOOKMAKING CONCERNS, A SCALE OF SENTENCES IS PROPOSED TO THE MAXIMUM SENTENCES FOR PEOPLE REPEATEDLY CAUGHT GAMBLING ILLEGALLY.

AND

THE SAME AS AT "THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR FIRST OFFENDERS IS

$20,000 PRESENT, BUT THAT FOR REPEATED OFFENDERS IS INCREASED TO

OFFENCE AND $30,000 AND SIX-MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT ON SECOND NINE-MONTH PRISON SENTENCE ON THIRD OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.'

THE TO

GAMBLING

ORDINANCE

.

INCLUDE

IN

THE TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS ALLOWING ALL COURTS TO ORDER DISCONNECTION OF TELEPHONE LINES USED BOOKMAKING OPERATIONS.

COURTS ΤΟ ORDER POLICE DURING

RAIDS

ALSO INCLUDED IS AN AMENDMENT EMPOWERING ALL FORFEITURE OF MONEY AND EQUIPMENT SEIZED BY THE ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING CONCERNS.

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