2010 August 13 | Poker Blog

Hong Kong Poker Raid

Hong Kong – Authorities in Hong Kong have busted 8 people for illegal gambling, taking part in an underground Texas Hold “em poker game. The action was taking place in the southern Chinese financial center in Hong Kong.

New Zealand national Michael Tan Boon Suan and 7 other finacial industry professionals were caught in a gaming establishment, according to court documents. In Hong Kong a first offense carries a maximum penalty of 3 months in prison and 10,000 Hong Kong dollars, which is $1,300 when converted to U.S. currency.

All eight defendants did not enter pleas when they appeared in court on Tuesday, and were released after posting bond of $1,000 Hong Kong dollars $130.00 in U.S. monies. The cases against them have been continued to August and September.

In Hong Kong casinos are illegal, only horse races, football matches and a lottery system are allowed and operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. If you want to do more then that you must travel to Macao known as the Las Vegas of Asia.

Mr. Tan and his co-defendants were arrested at an illegal Texas holdem card games in the Central financial district on March 13, police released a statement that officers seized about $153,000 in cash and chips worth about 3.7 million all in Hong Kong currency.

Tan a 42 year old banker is a licensed securities trader and corporate finance adviser for Merrill Lynch, reported on the website of Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission. Among the other conspirator’s are another banker, two investment consultants, two company directors, a businessman and a bank teller.

Two Hong Kong women and two Nepalese women all in there 20’s were charged with either operating or managing the room where the illegal activity took place.

Mark Tsang, a Hong Kong based spokesman for Merrill Lynch, had no comment