Macao consortium has commenced its building plans for a trotting track instead, the object being to serve as another tourist attrac- tion providing further facilities for gambling. The project allegedly involves an estimated capital of $90 million, Construction work has apparently slowed down owing to cash flow problem and the aim is to commence operation in May 1980, which is two years later than originally envisaged.
49
Although it is difficult to predict how popular horse trotting is going to be, it is believed that as soon as this is introduced in Macao,
it would generate a certain volume of illegal betting in Hong Kong. From the point of view of combatting illegal gambling through the provision of legal outlets, it is desirable that this activity should be brought within the existing controlled system as soon as possible. However, in the light of Council's advice on Macao horse racing in paragraph 47, it seems logical to conclude that Hong Kong should neither take the initiative nor respond positively to any request by the Macao Government for the legalisation of betting in Hong Kong in respect of this form of gambling. The position will be closely monitored and every attempt will be made by the Police to eradicate any such illegal activities as soon as they have been detected...
Casino Gambling
50
Police information is that the old type semi-permanent casinos operated by large syndicates offering a variety of games have generally disappeared. Instead, relatively small-scale, mobile..... ... operations offering only one type of fast winning game and catering for known clients have emerged. These operations are known to have employed highly sophisticated and security-conscious tactics, involving the preparation of some six to eight sets of premises, frequent changes of venue of activity, and the use of telephone pagers and close circuit television, etc thus rendering effective Police action difficult.
51
According to Police assessment, there was an increase in the level of casino gambling in 1978, especially towards the latter half of the year, although the scale of illegal activity is still smaller than that before October 1976. Towards this end, the Police has since December 1978 resumed more vigorous efforts in their attack on casino operations and, to date, apart from a few high class establishments which have proved difficult to tackle, casino gambling has been substantially reduced........
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