### Gambling Ordinance 《賭博條例》

20. Admissibility of evidence
(1) Where in any proceedings under this Ordinance a court is satisfied that a tape recording machine or a tape recording was used in or in connexion with the commission of an offence under section 7 or 8, then a tape recording produced by that machine or the tape recording, as the case may be, shall be admissible in evidence and shall be prima facie evidence of any matter recorded thereon. (Amended 12 of 2002 s. 11)
(2) In any proceedings under this Ordinance a report in a newspaper circulating in Hong Kong that a particular person, horse, pony, dog, team, contestant, entrant or participant was entered as a participant in or participated in a particular competition, race, event or contest, whether or not the competition, race, event or contest is to be or was held in Hong Kong, shall be admissible in evidence and shall be prima facie evidence that the person, horse, pony, dog, team, contestant, entrant or participant was so entered or did so participate. (Replaced 12 of 2002 s. 11)
(3) If in any proceedings under this Ordinance a court is satisfied that by experience or otherwise a police officer has expert knowledge of any practice or device used in or for the purpose of the commission of any offence under the Ordinance, the court may receive evidence from that police officer as to the nature, effect or purpose of the practice or device.

### Gambling Ordinance 《賭博條例》

21. Disconnexion of telephone service
(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under section 5, 7 or 8 the court may in addition to any penalty imposed for the offence make an order, which shall continue in force for such period not exceeding 12 months as the court may specify— (Amended 42 of 1990 s. 10)
(a) requiring the telecommunications service provider to disconnect any telephone service provided to such premises used in or in connexion with the commission of that offence as may be specified in the order;
(b) requiring the telecommunications service provider to disconnect any other telephone service provided to the defendant;
(c) (Repealed 12 of 2002 s. 12)(2) The Registrar of the High Court shall notify the telecommunications service provider of the making of an order under subsection (1) and the telecommunications service provider shall take such steps as may be necessary to give effect to it. (Amended 25 of 1998 s. 2)
(3) An order under subsection (1) shall have effect notwithstanding that the defendant is not the subscriber to the telephone service or a party to the agreement with the telecommunications service provider.
(4) In this section, telecommunications service provider (電訊服務提供者) means a licensee as defined in section 2(1) of the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap. 106). (Added 12 of 2002 s. 12)
(Amended 12 of 2002 s. 12)

### Gambling Ordinance 《賭博條例》

23. Search of suspected gambling establishments
(1) A police officer of or above the rank of superintendent may, if he reasonably suspects that any premises or place are or is a gambling establishment, authorize in writing any police officer to enter and search the premises or place.
(2) A police officer to whom an authorization is issued under subsection (1), and any other police officer acting under his direction, may—
(a) enter, by force if necessary, the premises or place specified in the authorization and search the same;
(b) arrest any person who is found in such premises or place or who escapes from such premises or place;
(c) search any person who is found in such premises or place or who escapes from such premises or place;
(d) seize and detain any gambling equipment found in such premises or place or found on any person in such premises or place or found on any person who escapes from such premises or place;
(e) seize and detain any money or other property—
(i) being used in or for or in connexion with gambling in such premises or place;
(ii) found on any person operating, or managing or otherwise controlling, any gambling establishment in such premises or place or on any person assisting in the operation or in the management or other control of any such establishment; or
(iii) found on any person found in such premises or place where entry under paragraph (a) is prevented, obstructed or delayed.
(3) No person shall be searched under this section except by a person of the same sex.
(4) Any person who obstructs any police officer authorized under subsection (1) or any other police officer acting under his direction from entering the premises or place specified in the authorization commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 5 and to imprisonment for 2 years. (Added 42 of 1990 s. 11. Amended E.R. 4 of 2021)
(5) Where a person delays the entry of any police officer referred to in subsection (4) into any premises or place so referred to, he shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, to have delayed entry for the purpose of obstructing such police officer from entering such premises or place. (Added 42 of 1990 s. 11)

### Gambling Ordinance 《賭博條例》

23A. Search of premises or place for promoting or facilitating bookmaking, etc.
(1) A police officer of or above the rank of superintendent may, if he reasonably suspects that—
(a) an offence under section 16A is being or has been committed in relation to; or
(b) an offence under section 16B is being or has been committed in,
any premises or place, authorize in writing any police officer to enter and search the premises or place.
(2) A police officer to whom an authorization is issued under subsection (1), and any other police officer acting under his direction, may—
(a) enter, by force if necessary, the premises or place specified in the authorization and search the same;
(b) arrest any person who is found in such premises or place or who escapes from such premises or place;
(c) search any person who is found in such premises or place or who escapes from such premises or place;
(d) seize and detain any thing found in such premises or place or found on any person in such premises or place or found on any person who escapes from such premises or place, which is being or has been used in connexion with an act prohibited by section 16A or 16B;
(e) seize and detain any money—
(i) being—
(A) money paid pursuant to a bet with a bookmaker;
(B) winnings on such a bet; or
(C) a deposit paid wholly or partly for the purpose of such a bet;
(ii) found on any person operating, managing or otherwise controlling such premises or place or on any person assisting in the operation, management or other control of such premises or place; or
(iii) found on any person found in such premises or place where entry under paragraph (a) is prevented, obstructed or delayed.
(3) No person shall be searched under this section except by a person of the same sex.
(4) Any person who obstructs any police officer authorized under subsection (1) or any other police officer acting under his direction from entering the premises or place specified in the authorization commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 5 and to imprisonment for 2 years. (Amended E.R. 4 of 2021)
(5) Where a person delays the entry of any police officer referred to in subsection (4) into any premises or place so referred to, he shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, to have delayed entry for the purpose of obstructing such police officer from entering such premises or place.
(Added 12 of 2002 s. 14)