Gambling is illegal in Hong Kong, more so if you do it on the public. However, some Filipino domestic helpers were daring enough to do illegal gambling in Hong Kong, even in the public.
The penalty for their offense? Their visa applications will get rejected by the Immigration Department.
According to the Hong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions Shiella Grace Estrada, the police authorities caught several domestic helpers gambling in the city, which made them believe that s strict approach to these offenders needs to get implemented.
Domestic helpers who were caught gambling will have difficulties with their visa applications as their information will be sent to the Immigration Department.
“Even if it’s just the first or second (illegal gambling) offense and the case is not brought to court because no money was recovered, it’s still forwarded (to Immigration). They’re now stricter,” says Estrada.
A warning letter was already sent to FADWU in line with the increasing number of Filipino domestic workers who are illegally gambling in the city.
According to police reports, there are four common locations where Filipino domestic helpers stay whenever they gamble; Lambeth Walk Garden, Chater Garden, near Murray Road Multi-Storey Carpark Building as well as the footbridge that connects Chater Road and Murray Road.
According to the Hong Kong Law, it is illegal to gamble on the streets and gambling establishments need to have a certain kind of license. If caught, you may have to pay the penalty worth HK$5 million and up to seven years imprisonment.
