(FWA 2025/09/17)

In Banqiao, New Taipei City, a local sports field that is often used by migrant workers for practice and games became the scene of gambling. Many people were found betting during breaks from matches, and the noise upset nearby residents, who reported it to the police. On September 14, 2025, New Taipei City police raided the site, arresting 13 migrant workers and 1 Taiwanese man. Officers seized NT$280,000 in gambling money, and the suspects were sent to the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office on charges of illegal gambling. The migrant workers claimed they did not know that gambling in public was against the law.

Residents said that groups of foreigners often gather there to gamble, making noise and leaving trash. Since the field is a public space where many children play on weekends, people worried it would set a bad example.

After receiving the report, police formed a special team. They found that the migrant workers used sepak takraw games to bring people together, then gambled on the side with dice and cards. Police took away all gambling tools, and the NT$280,000 cash.

Authorities stated that gambling can easily lead to other public safety issues and promised to continue cracking down on such activities. They urged citizens to report gambling crimes to help eliminate illegal behavior and improve community safety.

Among the 14 gamblers, one was a Taiwanese man, while the other 13 were Thai nationals, including 7 male migrant workers, 2 male migrant spouses, and 4 female migrant workers. All had legal status in Taiwan and were employed by different employers.

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球場聚賭 13名移工被逮捕

新北市板橋有一處球場，經常有移工練習或比賽，卻有多人在球賽之餘賭博，因過於吵鬧讓民眾不滿，因此向警方檢舉。新北市警察局2025年9月14日在現場查緝13名移工及1名台灣人，查扣賭資共新台幣28萬元，將依賭博罪嫌移送新北地檢署調查。涉案的移工則辯稱不知道當眾賭博違法。

民眾抱怨，許多外籍人士經常聚集在這附近從事賭博活動，不僅吵鬧，還製造環境髒亂，且因球場屬於公共場所，假日很多小孩在此運動，造成不良影響。

警方接到通報後，立即組成專案小組，發現移工以藤球運動號召，球賽之餘則以「骰子」及「撲克牌」等方式在旁進行賭博。現場查扣撲克牌、骰子、賭博工具以及賭資共新台幣28萬元。

警方表示，賭博行為容易衍生其他治安事件，將持續取締掃蕩。民眾如有發現賭博犯罪情形，可提出檢舉，以杜絕不法行為，改善社會治安。

14名賭客中，1名為台灣籍男性，其餘13人皆為泰國籍，包括7名男移工、2名男移工配偶及4名女移工，均有合法身分，受雇於不同雇主。