ICAC charges bookmaker over HK$4m illegal bets
According to local reports, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in Hong Kong has charged an illegal bookmaker for taking almost HK$4m (US$514,914) in bets.
The arrested individual, 69-year-old Chu Hoi-kan, was charged with the count of bookmaking against the Gambling Ordinance, specifically Section 7 (1).
It is believed he engaged in bookmaking between September 2019 to October 2019.
According to the investigation, Hoi-kan met a merchant and invited them to place bets with him on horse racing around 2017 or 2018.
In addition, ICAC also found that the merchant and Hoi-kan had placed bets on 14 horse racing days.
It is alleged total daily bets ranged from HK$1m to HK$9.5m, while the total wagered for the 14 days range from HK$25m to HK$38.5m.
Hoi-kan was arrested after the Commission intercepted an illegal booking syndicate during an anti-corruption operation.
The charge was made against the defendant after the Commission received legal advice from the Department of Justice.
Now, he will have to appear in the West Kowloon Magistrates Courts on 7 July, for the case to be transferred to the District Court for a plea.
Currently, the alleged bookmaker is currently released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance on Wednesday.
The Commission has added that its corruption investigation is currently ongoing.
The ICAC was formed in 1974 and uses a three-pronged approach of law enforcement, prevention and community education to fight corruption.
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