Hong Kong Police have arrested 164 people and dismantled 34 suspected illegal establishments during a territory-wide operation targeting triad activity.
The Organised Crime and Triad Bureau worked with district officers between 6 and 8 May under the codename Yat Ying, carrying out raids across several districts.
Police said the venues included suspected illegal gambling dens, drug distribution centres and other unlawful premises. Officers seized cash, luxury watches, vehicles, suspected narcotics, gambling machines and mobile phones.
Those detained included 95 men and 69 women aged between 12 and 93. The alleged offences included operating gambling establishments, drug trafficking, robbery, fighting in public, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud and breach of conditions of stay.
Hong Kong maintains a restrictive gambling framework. Under the Gambling Ordinance, gambling is generally unlawful unless authorised, licensed or exempted, with legal channels including horseracing, football betting and the Mark Six Lottery.
The penalties for illegal gambling vary by offence. Participation in illegal gambling can carry a maximum penalty of HK$50,000 ($6,400) and up to nine months in prison, while more serious offences such as bookmaking can carry substantially higher penalties.
Illegal gambling has remained a recurring enforcement priority in Hong Kong. In November 2025, police said a Thunderbolt anti-triad operation had neutralised more than 800 illegal premises, including gambling dens, vice establishments, divans and unlicensed bars.
In August 2025, New Territories North police arrested 208 people and dismantled 17 alleged triad-linked gambling dens, with cash and chips seized during the operation.
The latest arrests also follow a separate match-fixing case in which two football players and a betting agent were convicted over a scheme involving illegal bets on around 30 matches between 2021 and 2023.
Earlier this month, Hong Kong authorities proposed tighter controls on claw machines and pinball-style gaming outlets, citing concerns over gambling-like mechanics and youth exposure.
Hong Kong Police said combatting triad activity remains one of the Commissioner’s operational priorities
