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
 
Recently, the Ministry of Public Security held a press conference to severely crack down on underground mobile gambling dens, adopting measures such as "supervision by higher authorities, elevation of jurisdiction, and deployment of police from other regions" to deeply investigate and strike at the organizers, operators, profiteers, and behind-the-scenes "protective umbrellas" of underground mobile gambling dens, conducting "dragnet-style" inspections in border areas, urban-rural junctions, and rural regions to promptly address prominent gambling-related issues and maximize the suppression of space for gambling crimes.

 

 
Case review
The Yuhang District Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision of Hangzhou reported two typical cases of gambling among Party members and cadres:
 
1. Gambling issue involving Fan Yufu, a staff member of the district detention center. On July 28, 2020, Fan Yufu gambled with others by playing stud poker. On July 29, 2020, Fan Yufu was given an administrative penalty by the district public security bureau. On November 2, 2020, Fan Yufu received a warning within the Party.
 
2. Gambling issue involving Teng Guoping, a staff member of the Peace Construction Office of Wuchang Subdistrict Office. On March 17, 2020, Teng Guoping gambled with others by playing mahjong. On March 24, 2020, Teng Guoping was given an administrative penalty by the district public security bureau. On August 27, 2020, Teng Guoping received a 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 money shall be detained for not more than 5 days or fined not more than 500 yuan; if the circumstances are serious, they 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 is considered "relatively large gambling funds"?
Beijing regulations: According to the "Detailed Standards for Implementing the Public Security Administration Punishments Law in Beijing (Trial)", personal gambling funds of 300 to 500 yuan are subject to a fine of up to 500 yuan; 500 to 1,500 yuan result in detention of up to five days; over 1,500 yuan result in detention of ten to fifteen days.
 
Shanghai regulations: According to the "Shanghai Court Standards for Discretion in Public Security Administration Punishments", personal gambling funds exceeding 200 yuan are considered relatively large and may be subject to public security penalties.
 
Sichuan regulations: The "Sichuan Provincial Public Security Organs Administrative Penalty Discretion Standards" stipulate that if the total value of gambling funds collected on-site is between 1,000 yuan and 4,000 yuan, it is considered a relatively large amount of gambling funds.          
 
 
Hebei Province stipulates:The "Hebei Provincial Public Security Organs Public Security Management Penalty Discretion Standards" stipulate that a relatively large amount of gambling funds refers to personal gambling funds of 200 yuan or more; 1,000 yuan or more is considered a serious case. Wuhan City stipulates: If the per capita gambling funds are 1,000 yuan or more but less than 5,000 yuan, a fine of up to 500 yuan is imposed; if the per capita gambling funds are 5,000 yuan or more but less than 5,000 yuan, detention of up to 5 days is imposed; if the per capita gambling funds are 5,000 yuan or more, detention of 10 to 15 days is imposed, along with a fine of 500 yuan to 5,000 yuan.
                                 
Shenzhen City stipulates:Personal gambling funds of 500 yuan or more are considered a relatively large amount.
 
 
[1] The author's perspective
As the saying goes, small gambling brings pleasure. Playing mahjong is a common recreational activity for many during the Chinese New Year. It's fine to relax occasionally, but gambling is absolutely not allowed. Based on the above, not only does the "Public Security Administration Punishments Law" have relevant provisions, but many regions across the country also have specific regulations on "amounts," showing the importance local administrative and judicial authorities place on cracking down on gambling. Of course, in reality, playing mahjong is one of the most popular forms of entertainment for the Chinese people today. Therefore, everything in moderation: small gambling can be enjoyable, but heavy gambling not only harms 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.