MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
REVIEW OF GAMBLING POLICY
Before 1973, legal gambling was restricted to on- course betting and cashsweeps on horse racing, mahjong and tin-kau playing in mahjong houses and Government lotteries during the non-racing season. All other forms of gambling were illegal, though it was general knowledge that such activities were widespread and were posing serious law enforcement problems. Since 1973, a more liberal policy has gradually evolved, the aim being to reduce illegal gambling through diversion of such activities to a legal system. Measures were subsequently introduced to ensure that, as far as possible, there are sufficient controlled opportunities to meet the needs of those who will gamble and to strengthen the law against unlawful gambling.
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The purpose of this memorandum is to take stock of the present situation, to review the existing policy and to consider whether or not some modifications might be introduced.
Overall Reduction in Ilegal Gambling Activities
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According to Police assessment, until late 1976, illegal gambling was a multi-million dollar business with large syndicates operating throughout Hong Kong in various illegal gambling activities which included 'tse fa', casinos as well as horse-racing and grey- hound racing. Since then, because of the growing popularity of legal betting facilities, increased Police pressure, the deterrent effect of Gambling Ordinance 1977 and the action taken against syndicated corruption by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, - illegal gambling has been substantially reduced.
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'Tse fa" has disappeared completely.. Large syndicates have either been completely neutralised or closed down. Illegal÷ telephone betting on horse racing has decreased significantly. The old-style semi-permanent illegal casinos offering a range of gambling possibilities is now a rarity though there are signs in 1978 of the emergence of small-scale, mobile casinos.. The Police view is... that the illegal gambling problem has considerably diminished, but there is still no room for complacency.✨
CONFIDENTIAL
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