Blast at Illegal Chinese Gambling Den Kills 15 and Injures 8

At least 15 people were killed and eight others were injured in a blast at a suspected hillside gambling den in the Guizhou Province in China on 13 January.

The explosion, which occurred in the afternoon around 2.30 p.m., has hit the headlines in Chinese gambling news and papers nationwide. According to the police department in the province, the site of the blast at Laoshan village was confirmed as a gambling venue.

Chinese gambling laws are extremely strict and do no permit any forms of gambling outside of the Welfare Lottery and the Sports Lottery, meaning that many gambling organizations go underground around the country.

Explosion at underground gaming den kills 15 and injures 8 in the Guizhou Province in China

A full investigation into the case is now in full swing, and the Guizhou Province government has urged local authorities to spare no efforts in treating those who were injured by the blast.

The local government has also issued orders to the city of Kaili, in which the Laoshan village is located, to screen for risks in the management of explosives.

Back in December, local police have busted three illegal casinos in Kaili, and arrested seven organizers and another 57 who were caught gambling. More than CNY 210,000 in gambling money was confiscated at the scene of the crime.

There had been a number of complaints of illegal gaming in Kaili from local residents over the year past few years, who say people travel to Guizhou for gambling purposes.