Gambling racket busted in China, 800 held

Beijing, March 31 (IANS) Over 800 people have been arrested and 115 gambling venues shut down in a cross-provincial police operation in China, the government said.

In the operation spanning 18 regions, at least 836 suspects were apprehended and illicit wealth worth more than 20 million yuan (over $3 million) was seized, the Shanghai Daily reported.

As many as 16 dens that produced gambling machines were closed, and 3,800 gambling machines were confiscated, said the ministry of public security.

The gang operated from its headquarters in Guangzhou, capital of southern Guangdong province. They manufactured the gambling machines and sold them across the country.

A fake company under the name of Guangzhou Beisite Group had been producing gambling machines since 2007 as well as running casinos with annual profits of around 100 million yuan, the ministry said.