Chinese crackdown on Euro 2000 gambling

The Chinese are soccer-crazy

By Hong Kong correspondent Damien Grammaticus

The authorities in Hong Kong and China are cracking down on illegal gambling on the Euro 2000 football competition.

The event has generated enormous interest in Asia. It is estimated that over a $100m will be gambled in Hong Kong alone, despite the fact that betting on soccer is illegal.

Chinese soccer gambling

Bets have doubled since 1998

During 1998, World Cup Year, 39 arrests and $6.6m worth of bets placed

During Euro 2000 year, 56 arrests made. Bets amounted to nearly $16m

Every match in Euro 2000 is being broadcast live in China and is being followed by millions of Chinese football fans.

International bookmakers say huge sums of money are being placed in bets on the games.

Police in Hong Kong are taking action by patrolling the city's pubs and bars, while plainclothes officers are mingling with the crowds posing as football fans.

Emergency order

Hong Kong's Secretary for Security, Regina Yip said: "Whenever there are international tournaments, we notice there has been some illegal bookmaking activities and the police have been watching this closely."

In China too, the Ministry of Public Security has in the last few days issued an emergency order for an immediate crackdown.

Reports say that a soccer gambling ring was smashed in Guangdong province and dozens of people arrested.

Many though are finding ways around the laws by using the internet or telephones to place bets with bookmakers based in other countries.