Hong Kong police have arrested nine men on suspicion of illegal gambling or operating unlawful betting booths during the Lunar New Year break.

The suspects included one local and eight non-ethnic Chinese men aged 18 to 54, who were arrested at Fuk Wa Street in Sham Shui Po on Sunday evening, the force said on Monday.

“It is illegal to gamble on the street … Police will continue to patrol the area and strive to combat illegal street gambling activities within the district,” police said.

Earlier on Sunday, an image circulating on social media showed punters playing the Chinese dice game “Fish-Prawn-Crab” in broad daylight. It is not yet known if the arrests were connected to the incident.

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The centuries-old gambling game involves three dice with symbols that include a fish, a prawn and a crab, among others. Players then bet on which combination of symbols will come up with every roll.

Seven of the group, including the Hong Kong man, were arrested on suspicion of illegal gambling. The other two were brought in for allegedly operating illegal betting booths.

One of the suspects, aged 18, was also suspected of overstaying in Hong Kong.

Officers on Sunday also seized bets valued at HK$700 (US$89.5), as well as items commonly used in Fish-Prawn-Crab games on Pei Ho Street near Apliu Street.

In Hong Kong, illegal gambling carries a maximum penalty of nine months in jail and a HK$30,000 fine.

Operating an illegal establishment on the street is punishable by up to two years in prison and a HK$50,00 fine.