Taiwan Police Shut Down Illegal Gambling Den, Cut Utilities

Authorities in New Taipei City's Luzhou district have forcefully shut down an illegal gambling operation disguised as a chess and card club. The establishment, located on Zhongshan 1st Road, was found to be soliciting gamblers and profiting from illegal betting activities.

Following an initial raid on May 7th where illegal gambling activities and funds were seized, the venue continued to operate. In response, the Luzhou Precinct initiated a "third-party policing" strategy, reporting the case to the New Taipei City Public Security Inspection Team. On a weekend, the team, comprising officials from various departments including police, fire, economic development, and public works, along with representatives from Taiwan Water Corporation and Taipower, converged on the illegal site.

“

Police will continue to review and sweep areas within the jurisdiction that are prone to generating public order issues and illegal operations, conducting high-density inspections and intelligence gathering, taking the initiative, and enforcing strongly.

They implemented a forceful cut-off of the establishment's water and electricity. During the operation, several customers were present, highlighting the owner's continued defiance of regulations. This decisive action by the city government aims to maintain public order and deter criminal activity stemming from such illicit venues. Police Chief Wang Yao-hui stated that the police will continue to scrutinize and sweep areas prone to illegal activities, employing high-density patrols and intelligence gathering, followed by strong enforcement. The police emphasized that beyond legal prosecution, they will collaborate with the city government's "third-party policing" to completely sever the operational space for illegal businesses, warning potential offenders against any侥幸心理 (hope for luck/chance).

“

Beyond prosecuting illegal activities according to the law, we will also combine with the city government's 'third-party policing' to completely cut off illegal business spaces.