HK Police issue warning against Filipinas gambling in Central

Chater Garden in Central, a popular meeting place of overseas Filipino workers in HK on their day off

Saying they had received “complaints,” the Hong Kong Police warned Filipino domestic workers against gambling illegally in public places, particularly in Central.

The police said they received complaints that domestic workers were gambling in Chater Garden, Lambeth Walk Garden (the garden beside Chater Garden going to Admiralty), near Murray Road Multi-Storey Carpark Building, and under the footbridge connecting Murray Road and Chater Road (the footbridge beside Chater Garden).

“The Police have received a number of complaints against Filipino domestic helpers suspected of participating in unlawful gambling activities (at these) locations in Central District,” said a police official in a letter to the Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Union.

The officer noted that “no matter the gambling amount,” gambling in a place that is not a gambling establishment in Hong Kong is a violation of the city’s Gambling Ordinance.

“Any person who contravenes the aforementioned commits an offense and is liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of $5,000,000 and up to 7 years imprisonment,” the officer said.

Under the Hong Kong’s gambling ordinance, it is unlawful to gamble in the streets and gambling establishments should be licensed.

Card games, chess, or other games could be played but there should be no money or other bets involved.