China Makes a Firm Stand Against Online Gambling

North East China is seeing a rise of illegal gambling, however recently there was a mass arrest of thirty-two individuals for playing online. The total amount of yuan involved equals 5.8 billion, or 773 million USD. Ten of the offenders are being further investigated to be formally charged later on many more gambling charges.

According to local authorities, an additional 50 people, involved with the case are on the run. This is a result of an on going investigation that pursued the many people involved for months, in preparation for this ultimate decision to act.

Police said Mr. Yang, and one of those under further investigation, is the head of the criminal gang, formed a small group of gamblers and began operating illegal gambling sites with his wife Wang in November 2005. The gang rapidly expanded well more than 100 gamblers involved, in shortly less than two years. All gambling is illegal in the majority of China and the government has made its position on Internet gambling abundantly clear.

"The prevalence of online gambling has ruined the online environment and harmed young people's growth," said a government circular issued earlier in the year. There is a desire to curb and eliminate online gambling altogether, with in the country.