Shanghai police have warned soccer fans with a reminder that gambling is illegal recently.

In an effort to clamp down on sports betting, which runs rampant during the World Cup period, local law enforcement personnel have announced that anyone caught wagering on football matches over the next four weeks will face strict punishments.

Zhu Liliang, a lawyer, said those aiming to earn money by running a pool or gambling themselves will be sentenced to a prison term of up to three years, in addition to other fines.

Even more, people working in hotel, restaurant, taxi and entertainment industries will be detained for 10 to 15 days if found delivering information to gamblers so they can avoid police inspections.

Some soccer fans, including white-collar workers, prefer to gamble on the tournament in entertainment venues, like bars and tea houses, where they can watch the games. Rather than stopping them, some owners of such establishments even join in on the gambling.

Some fans regard gambling as source of entertainment; however, police say it is a violation of the country's established regulations.

And, beyond the laws against the practice, violations may go further, with some people even embezzling and stealing money to gamble.

(CRI June 13, 2006)