A screenshot from video clip by China News Service
(ECNS) -- A poker tournament in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province was called off by police due to suspicions of gambling, possibly involving millions of yuan, Beijing Morning Post reported on Monday.
Guo Yujun, an official with the Chinese General Administration of Sport, said that his administration had neither approved nor played a role in any of the country's Texas hold'em poker events, and that the Nanjing event might have been given the go-ahead by local sports authorities or other government departments, the report stated.
A notice outside the Wutaishan Sports Center in Jiangsu province on April 18 announced the ban and said that investigations were underway.
Local police received tip-offs on April 16 that an ongoing Texas Hold'Em poker event at the stadium may have involved gambling activities. Texas Hold'Em poker is a popular game in many American casinos.
The poker tournament in Nanjing was co-sponsored by Jiangsu's local sports authorities together with two sports culture companies under the Shenzhen-based Anshenghua Industry Development Co, according to the newspaper.
It was reported that the tournament attracted many competitors, including some from Hong Kong and Macao. Each of the more than 1,000 competitors was asked for a 3,000 yuan ($483) sign-up fee to participate in the event.
According to Chinese Criminal Law, those who engage in gambling or running casinos for profit are subject to up to three years in jail, criminal detention or control, together with a fine, depending on the nature of the crime. Casino owners who have committed a severe crime can receive a sentence of three to ten years imprisonment as well as a fine.
