The Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress wound up its session in Beijing on Saturday, passing Amendment XI to its criminal law, which brings into effect stiff penalties for gambling.
Under the law, gathering people to gamble or having gambling as a business for the purpose of profit, is punishable by up to three years imprisonment, short-term detention, controlled release, and a concurrent fine.
Where casinos are opened, a sentence of up to five years imprisonment, short-term detention, or controlled release and a concurrent fine is to be given; and where circumstances are serious, a punishment of between 5 and 10 years imprisonment and a concurrent fine is to be given.
Where persons setting up or managing casinos overseas, or others they appoint, organize and solicit citizens of the PRC to go abroad and participate in gambling, and the amount in question is huge or there are other serious circumstances, it is to be punished in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.
China’s top legislature concludes standing committee session (Xinhua)
