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Mahjong enthusiasts should make sure that their activities are held on legal premises before engaging themselves in the game to avoid facing charges of illegal gambling, a Police spokesman said today (Monday).

"The Police are well aware that mahjong is one of the most popular forms of social games but some players are not always observing the legality of the game," he said.

It is a common misconception that playing the game for money does not contravene the law and thus players can evade from facing gambling charges.

"It should be noted that very often it is the type of premises in which mahjong games take place that determines the legality of the game," the spokesman said.

Although some of these establishments might have been licensed or issued with proper certificates for different purposes, mahjong games are not always permitted to take place at many of these venues.

A recent survey conducted by Police on one of the common mahjong establishments generally referred to as "Luen Yi Wui" showed that at least three forms of such establishments exist.

There are the proper clubs which have a Certificate of Compliance (commonly known as "Club Licence") issued by the Home Affairs Department; those which describe themselves as clubs but have no Club Licence although they may have a Business Registration Certificate; and those which describe themselves as clubs but have neither a Club Licence nor a Business Registration Certificate.

"While operating under the pretext of being a recreational club the general purpose of many of such a place is, reportedly, to provide a venue for the playing of mahjong," the spokesman said.

"Rental, or in some cases commission, is charged for providing tables, tiles and chips, and, under such circumstances, participants of the game, the operators and staff of the clubs may be committing a gambling offence," the spokesman said.

It is unlawful for persons to play the game in non-bona fide establishments including mahjong clubs or associations operating without a Club Licence but operating under a Business Registration Certificate only; and on unlicensed private mahjong premises, such as stores or private premises, where rental for the tiles or commission is charged.

Another misconception is that mahjong gambling is completely legal when such games are provided at licensed mahjong schools.

"If the games are continued outside the prescribed business hours of the 'school', the activities become illegal. Again, patrons, operators and staff may face gambling charges," the spokesman said.

"The onus is on mahjong players frequenting clubs or associations to differentiate between what is legal and illegal mahjong gambling," the spokesman said.

"Police will make every effort to clamp down on illegal gambling regardless of what form it takes and counteract such activities from which organisations and individuals profit," the spokesman warned.

Police Report No. 2

Issued by PPRB

End/1310 hours, Monday, April 26, 1999

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