A little indulgence at year-end is fine, but gathering for gambling is absolutely not allowed.

Compiled from: China Police Network, Fayuan Tea Talk, China Legal Education
 
The Ministry of Public Security recently held a press conference, cracking down hard on underground mobile casinos. Measures such as “listing and supervising key cases, upgrading jurisdiction, and deploying police across regions” were adopted to thoroughly investigate and strike at the organizers, operators, profit-takers, and behind-the-scenes “protective umbrellas” of underground mobile casinos. Comprehensive “dragnet” inspections were carried out in areas at regional borders, urban-rural fringe zones, and rural areas to promptly address prominent gambling-related issues and maximally squeeze the space for illegal and criminal gambling activities.

 

 
Case review
The Discipline Inspection Commission and Supervisory Commission of Yuhang District, Hangzhou City, reported two typical cases of gambling among Party members and officials:
 
1. Fan Yufu, a staff member of the district detention center, was involved in gambling. On July 28, 2020, Fan Yufu and others engaged in gambling by playing Show Hand. On July 29, 2020, Fan Yufu was given an administrative penalty by the district public security sub-bureau in accordance with the law. On November 2, 2020, Fan Yufu received a disciplinary warning within the Party.
 
2. The gambling issue of Teng Guoping, a staff member of the Peaceful Construction Office of Wuchang Subdistrict Office. On March 17, 2020, Teng Guoping gambled by playing mahjong with others. On March 24, 2020, Teng Guoping was given an administrative penalty by the district public security sub-bureau in accordance with the law. On August 27, 2020, Teng Guoping received a disciplinary warning within the Party.
 
 
[1] Relevant laws and regulations
Article 70 of the Public Security Administration Punishments Law
Whoever, for the purpose of profit, provides conditions for gambling, or participates in gambling with a relatively large amount of gambling funds, shall be detained for not more than 5 days or fined not more than 500 yuan; if the circumstances are serious, shall be detained for not less than 10 days but not more than 15 days, and concurrently fined not less than 500 yuan but not more than 5,000 yuan.
 
 
What constitutes "relatively large gambling funds"?
Beijing regulationsThe "Beijing Municipal Detailed Standards for the Implementation of the Public Security Administration Punishments Law (Trial)" stipulates that for individuals with gambling funds of 300 to 500 yuan, a fine of up to 500 yuan shall be imposed; for 500 to 1,500 yuan, detention of up to five days shall be imposed; for amounts above 1,500 yuan, detention of not less than ten days but not more than fifteen days shall be imposed.
 
Shanghai regulationsAccording to the "Shanghai Courts' Discretionary Standards for Public Security Administration Punishments," if an individual's gambling funds exceed RMB 200, it constitutes a relatively large amount of gambling funds and may be subject to public security penalties.
 
Sichuan regulationsAccording to the Discretionary Standards for Administrative Penalties by Public Security Organs of Sichuan Province, if the total value of gambling funds seized on site is between RMB 1,000 and RMB 4,000, it shall be deemed as a relatively large amount of gambling funds.          
 
 
Hebei Province stipulates:According to the Discretionary Standards for Public Security Administration Punishments by Public Security Organs of Hebei Province, "relatively large gambling funds" means an individual's gambling funds exceed 200 yuan; gambling funds exceeding 1,000 yuan constitute "serious circumstances."  Wuhan Municipality provides: where the per capita gambling funds are 1,000 yuan or more but less than 5,000 yuan, a fine of up to 500 yuan shall be imposed; where the per capita gambling funds are 5,000 yuan or more but less than 5,000 yuan, detention of up to 5 days shall be imposed; where the per capita gambling funds are 5,000 yuan or more, detention of 10 to 15 days shall be imposed, along with a fine of 500 yuan or more but up to 5,000 yuan.
                                 
Shenzhen City stipulates:: If an individual's gambling funds exceed 500 yuan, it is considered a relatively large amount of gambling funds.
 
 
[1] The author's perspective
As the saying goes, a little gambling is harmless fun, and playing mahjong is an essential entertainment activity for many people during the Chinese New Year. In fact, occasional relaxation is perfectly acceptable, but gambling is absolutely out of the question. Based on the above, not only does the Public Security Administration Punishments Law contain relevant provisions, but many regions across the country have also established specific regulations regarding “monetary thresholds,” which demonstrates the importance that local administrative and judicial authorities place on strictly cracking down on gambling. Of course, given the reality, playing mahjong is currently one of the most popular forms of entertainment among the Chinese people, so moderation is key in all things—a little gambling can be enjoyable, but heavy gambling not only harms your health but may also be illegal.

 
 

In addition, for Party members and leading officials, it is even more important to lead by example. Not only will participating in mahjong games result in disciplinary action, but even lingering to watch by the mahjong table is not allowed. Based on the above cases, in order to thoroughly implement strict governance of the Party, to further enforce discipline and rules, to strengthen warning and education, and to guide Party members and officials to abide by laws and regulations and establish a good image, strict measures are taken during the Spring Festival to crack down on violations—do not test the law.