DIA says illegal gambling dens using predatory loans to ensare the vulnerable amid crackdown
New Zealand's DIA raided illegal gambling dens in Auckland, uncovering predatory lending practices that left vulnerable people deeply in debt.Summary
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) in New Zealand recently conducted raids on illegal gambling dens across Auckland, seizing assets like poker tables, chips, cash, and cryptocurrency. These venues, operating in breach of the 2003 Gambling Act, are suspected of offering unlicensed poker games and are believed to have links to Chinese criminal groups. DIA director Vicki Scott revealed that the operations involved high stakes, with a total spend estimated at $5 million. A particularly concerning aspect of these illegal operations is the predatory lending practices used to ensnare vulnerable individuals, leading some to lose significant assets – including cars and homes – or even being forced to sell drugs to repay their debts. The DIA encourages the public to report any suspected illegal gambling activity, as the nine venues shut down represent only a portion of the problem.
(Source：Rnz Co Nz)