The police said these people would be interrogated concerning illegal gambling in four Ho Chi Minh City hotels – the Duxton Saigon, Food Center of Saigon, the Legend, and the Equatorial – as well as Vung Tau’s DIC Star hotel.

Of the 15 summoned, 10 are reportedly major punters who have gambled up to hundred thousands of dollars each.

Vietnamese law prohibits domestic nationals from gambling but allows hotels rated with four-stars or above to run casinos exclusively for foreigners and overseas Vietnamese.

In late May, police launched a mass offensive, inspired by complaints lodged a few months ago that the five aforesaid casinos allowed Vietnamese to gamble, and arrested seven people.

Malaysian Lim Leang Sing, 60, who was among the arrested, has sought bail approval from the Vietnamese Supreme Prosecution Office and the Ministry of Public Security on the grounds of frail health.

Lim was indicted for “organizing illegal gambling” in three hotels including the Equatorial, Food Center, and Duxton.

In related news, Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper said Tuesday that investigators were poring over the existence of a gangster ring that had abetted the Food Center of Saigon, which has only been granted the three-star standard, to obtain the operating license to organize the gambling services for foreigners.

The ring of thugs allegedly received kickbacks up to US$1 million from other hotel owners to help them obtain operating licenses for cyber game services.

The newspaper reported that a former henchman of executed and notorious mafia boss Nam Cam could be behind the ring.

Source: TTXVN, SGGP - Compiled by An Dien