VietNamNet Bridge – Police in Tra On District in Vinh Long Province in the Mekong Delta have begun legal proceedings against a well-known Vietnamese ‘Cai Luong’ singer Kim Tu Long for illegal gambling.

Artist Kim Tu Long.

Earlier, police in Vinh Long Province had raided a gambling den on a barge anchored at the mouth of Tan Dinh Rivulet and arrested 27 people who were playing cards for money on June 26.

Among those arrested was Kim Tu Long, whose given name is Hoang Kim Long, and two other artists.

Police seized two decks of playing cards, 22 dice, and VND69 million (US$3,243) from the scene. Thorough search of the gamblers revealed 28 mobile phones and an additional amount of 1,345 in dollar currency and VND373 million.

The sum of $1,345 and VND335 million belonged to Long, according to the police.

After taking down his statement, police released the artist on bail.

In this case, the local police have also indicted seven other people, hailing from different provinces in the Mekong Delta. Many of the gamblers have testified that the artist gambled with them on several occasions, betting VND500,000 ($24) to VND1 million ($48) on card stakes.

However, Long claimed he had finished a performance at a wedding ceremony in Nguyen Van Khoi’s house in Tich Phu Village in Tich Thien Commune, close to the barge. When he arrived at the barge to look for his driver, gamblers invited him to join in ‘for luck’.

He then explained that the huge cash he was carrying was his fee for his performance at the ceremony and another concert in a nearby province, and his own cash to be used to pay for his apartment in Ho Chi Minh City.

Source: SGGP