Hong Kong: Illegal bookmaker charged for taking up to $514K on horse racing bets

On Monday, Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) charged an illegal bookmaker with bookmaking after he took almost HK$4 million ($514K) on horse racing bets.

Chu Hoi-kan faces a count of bookmaking, contrary to the Gambling Ordinance. He allegedly engaged in bookmaking between September 12, 2018, and October 31, 2019. He came to know a merchant and invited the latter to place bets with him on horse racing in around 2017 or 2018, as reported by The Standard.

He was arrested as the ICAC busted an illegal booking syndicate in an anti-corruption operation. The charge was laid against him after the commission sought legal advice from the Department of Justice.

Chu will appear in the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on July 7 for the case to be transferred to the District Court for plea. He has been released on bail, pending his court appearance on Wednesday.

The investigation found out that the merchant had placed bets with the defendant on 14 horse racing days. It is alleged that the total daily bets ranged from $13,000 to $122,200, and the total bets for the 14 days ranged from $3 million to $ 5 million.