The four counselling and treatment centres for problem and pathological gamblers handled 837 cases during the recent European Football Championship.

Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing told lawmakers today the centres provided 743 cases of telephone counselling and 94 cases of face-to-face counselling or other professional treatment, including one with a client under the age of 18.

To combat illegal gambling during the event, Police conducted intelligence-led enforcement actions across Hong Kong.

Up to April, 1,302 people were arrested for gambling offences, compared to 3,379 last year.

Police will also conduct joint operations to combat cross-boundary illegal gambling activities.