Five Hong Kong men have been fined HK$1,000 each after they were caught playing mahjong on the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) last year.
According to public broadcasting news outlet RTHK, the men – aged between 20 and 27 – were arrested by police in November after a video began circulating of them playing on a train heading towards Tiu Keng Leng.
They were convicted by the Kowloon City Magistracy of committing a nuisance in public places while four of the five were found guilty of using concessionary tickets that they were not entitled to. The fifth was also convicted of carrying bulky baggage exceeding the permitted limits, RTHK said.
All forms of gambling outside of those offered by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, including mahjong, are outlawed by Hong Kong’s Gambling Ordinance other than rare exceptions such as narrowly defined non-house raked games held at social events such as weddings at certain licensed restaurants, bars or club houses, and not promoted as a business.
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