China Signals Sustained Crackdown on Cross-Border Gambling

Wang Xiaohong, a senior official within the Communist Party of China Central Committee Secretariat and a state councilor, reiterated China’s hardline stance against cross-border gambling, urging authorities to sustain relentless pressure and improve coordination nationwide. Speaking at a national video conference on Thursday, Wang emphasized that enforcement efforts must remain focused, continuous and precise, leaving no room for relaxation.

He called on law enforcement to concentrate resources on major cases, key suspects and organized gambling syndicates, stressing that campaigns should be persistent rather than fragmented. Wang’s remarks come as China continues nationwide initiatives aimed at dismantling illegal gambling networks operating across borders, underlining that enforcement remains a long-term priority. Officials from multiple levels of government attended the meeting, highlighting a unified approach directed from Beijing.

Precision Targeting of Criminal Networks

Wang outlined that the core objective is to identify and break up gambling operations at their roots, cutting off leadership structures and financial channels that enable them to function. He urged authorities to strike both origin points and destination hubs of these activities, ensuring that criminal chains are disrupted from end to end. According to Wang, success depends on maintaining awareness of evolving threats and adapting tactics accordingly, as gambling networks become increasingly sophisticated and transnational.

He also emphasized that law enforcement agencies must remain vigilant and responsive to changes in the operating environment, reinforcing intelligence-led policing and coordinated action to sustain progress.

Strengthening Institutions and Capabilities

Beyond immediate crackdowns, Wang stressed the importance of long-term capacity building. He called for stronger organizational structures, clearer leadership responsibilities, and improved professional training for personnel handling cross-border gambling cases. Enhanced inter-agency cooperation, better information sharing and stronger technical expertise were highlighted as essential to tackling complex and digitally driven crimes.

Wang noted that when departments operate in sync, enforcement becomes more effective and far-reaching, turning isolated actions into a sustained collective effort.

Sustained Pressure as a Core Principle

Framing the issue as one tied to social stability and national security, Wang made clear that high-pressure enforcement will continue. He underscored the need for a comprehensive strategy that combines prevention, disruption and long-term control measures, ensuring gambling networks are weakened over time rather than simply displaced.

The conference reinforced China’s commitment to maintaining momentum against cross-border gambling, with Wang’s guidance setting the tone for continued coordination, professionalization and persistence in future enforcement efforts.