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When compared with the Chinese government, the United States
government holds one thing in common. They both claim that
Internet gambling is illegal but China is extremely diligent
in prosecuting offenders while the United States is very
lax.
Not just Internet gambling, but land based brick and mortar
casinos are being closed down by China, where efforts are
in progress to increase the cleaning away of all forms of
gambling. They are going after players with as much intensity
as they are pursuing casino operators. The Chinese authorities
are basing their case on the existing law, Article 303, and
are growing increasingly severe in their enforcement under
the article’s provisions. According to Chinese Law
Article 303, any person who organizes three or more citizens
and receives payments of 5000 yuan (which is equal to about
$600, US), or is involved in a game with stakes of over 50,000
yuan (which is about $6000 US) is deemed as being guilty
of organized gambling and subject to punishment. They can
receive up to three years in prison as well as harsh fines.
If one organizes a group of 10 or more Chinese citizens with
the intent of gambling, and receives a commission, he is
also in violation of Article 303. In the same manner that
land based casino operators are being penalized, so Internet
online casinos operators can also be penalized. In addition,
a person who assists an online casino gambling site in any
way is considered as being an accessory to the crime and
is therefore subject to the same penalties and punishment
as well. Those who are civil servants and who may be involved
as operators in some gambling operation or are assisting
such an operation, should be doubly wary since it is reported
that the harshest penalties will be given to this group.
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