Chinese Police Crack Down on Arcade Halls Operating Illegal Gambling

(AsiaGameHub) –   Chinese authorities are intensifying their efforts against video game arcades operating as illegal gambling establishments, with 18 arrests made in Hunan Province during a recent operation.

According to Chinese media outlet Rednet, officers from the Yanquan Police Station and the Chenzhou Public Security Bureau acted on a public tip.

A resident in Chenzhou’s Beihu District reported the arcade for noise and other “social disturbances.” Police responding to the complaint apprehended four arcade operators and 14 patrons.

Investigators reported discovering customers engaged in fishing machine games.

Police Target Illegal Operators of Arcade Game Gambling Centers

Fishing machines are prominent, multiplayer console games prevalent in video game arcades across Mainland China and Hong Kong.

These games involve players operating water cannons to target fish and various marine life moving across the screen at different velocities.

Points are awarded for each successful hit, with bonus points for “rare” fish. Recently, certain arcade operators have started providing exclusive, illicit, private sessions to specific patrons.

In these sessions, participants contribute a cash stake, and arcade operators distribute winnings to players who achieve high scores.

The majority of these machines are manufactured in China and accommodate four to eight players.

The appeal of these arcade games has expanded into numerous Southeast Asian countries, with several Chinese companies recently launching English-language editions of the most sought-after machines.

Authorities stated that the Chenzhou arcade operators additionally provided patrons with betting opportunities on comparable soccer-themed games.

Officers reported confiscating gambling paraphernalia, arcade game consoles, and an unspecified sum of cash from the location.

Police Plan to Broaden Arcade Investigations

A spokesperson for the Public Security Bureau confirmed that all 18 suspects received unspecified “administrative penalties” as further investigation proceeds.

The spokesperson cautioned the public that all types of gambling are prohibited in China, noting that statistics indicate “nine out of 10 gamblers lose” their wagers.

This raid follows a similar operation conducted weeks prior in Kowloon, Hong Kong, where police also seized gaming consoles and cash, arresting eight individuals, including seven suspected customers.

The intensified action against video game arcades is part of a broader anti-gambling initiative by Chinese police.

In recent weeks, officers nationwide have conducted raids on abandoned buildings and secluded public areas where gambling rings are reportedly gathering for “high-speed, high-stakes” betting games.