Lang Son Provincial Police announced on 6/5 that they have charged 66 individuals, including 48 foreign nationals, with gambling and organizing gambling offenses. The charges follow a raid on 21/4 at the Thai Duong Hotel and an international entertainment complex in Hoang Van Thu commune, located near the Chinese border.

Police caught gamblers in the act. *Photo: Police provided*

Under the direct command of the Provincial Police Director, coordinated forces, including border customs, conducted the raid. Inside the club, operated by Thai Duong Entertainment and Tourism Co., Ltd., police apprehended about 80 Vietnamese and foreign nationals actively gambling. They were playing various games such as: long ho, niuniu, baccarat, and fan-tan, using chips convertible at a rate of one chip equivalent to one Chinese yuan (approximately 3,681 VND at the time of the raid).

At the scene, authorities seized chips in use valued at over 2.1 million Chinese yuan (nearly 8 billion VND). An additional 24,000 chip points, worth approximately 88 million VND, were found on the suspects. Further searches of safes revealed nearly 82 million chip points, equivalent to almost 82 million Chinese yuan (over 301 billion VND), along with computers, camera recorders, and other related evidence.

The casino was located at Thai Duong Hotel. *Photo: Police provided*

The investigation revealed that Thai Duong Entertainment and Tourism Co., Ltd. was operated by Zeng Hua (56, a Chinese national). The company was registered for various services, including accommodation, karaoke, massage, and a commercial center. While licensed to operate electronic prize-winning games for foreign nationals and overseas Vietnamese under the name "international entertainment club"—featuring machines like slot machines, roulette, electronic baccarat, electronic blackjack, and sicbo—its operations violated regulations.

Regulations stipulate that these electronic games must operate automatically, without human intervention. Zeng Hua, however, exploited the club's facade to install gaming tables and dealing equipment, organizing live gambling operations. Zeng Hua also established a camera system and hired numerous individuals to manage various operational stages: oversight, dealing cards, scoring, and handling chip transactions for players in the role of the "house." This team received salaries and additional tips.

The police are continuing to expand the investigation into the case.

Deputy Director of Lang Son Provincial Police directs units in the raid. *Photo: Police provided*