Limited options in rural areas leads to rise in gambling

Many people know the harm that can come from gambling, but it's still rampant, especially in China's rural areas. CCTV's Yu Li looks at why it's so hard for some to kick the habit.

With limited entertainment and recreation options, villagers in Guanling county in southwestern Guizhou Province have a lot of spare time on their hands. And increasingly, that time has been filled with gambling. But what may have begun as an innocent pastime is becoming a problematic addiction.

"I didn't have a hobby. I like to drink some beer and surf the internet when I'm not at work. Then a friend introduced me to gambling, and since then I just haven't been able to stop." Gambler said.

"Usually some of the regulars tell us where the good spots to play are. I was bored once, so I went with them. The first time you'll probably lose money, but you want to play again to win it back." Gambler said.

Adding to the problem is that hundreds of the rural households in Guizhou province have recently received a fresh injection of money as part of their compensation for land appropriations.

"I earned some money from the land appropriation. I didn't have any plans for how to use the money, so I used it to gamble instead." Mr. li from Guizhou villager said.

Without land and now without money, Li says he doesn't know how he'll make a living.

Local police say illegal gambling organizers target people like Li, and can take everything they have.

"Gambling organizers usually time their games for when migrant workers come home with their whole year's salary and gather them all together. They also choose places where local residents have recently received their compensation for land appropriations and don't know where to spend the money." Tang Baohua, deputy chief of Guanling County Police Station, said.

According to the Guizhou provincial Police Bureau, gambling is one of their main targets this year. And they are encouraging local residents to report any illegal gambling activities.