The Public Prosecution planned to charge 11 suspects allegedly to be involved in the operation of a clandestine casino, local media reported Friday.

Macao Post Daily quoted sources from the prosecution as saying that the suspects had been running a casino in a local hotel suite till they were nabbed by the police.

The 10 mainlanders and one local resident purchased gaming tables, chips and arranged for the traveling of the gamblers from the mainland, the sources told the newspaper.

One of the victims was reportedly racketeered 4 million Hong Kong dollars (US$571,000) within an hour after entering the illegal casino.

The family members were later threatened by the gang to pay up the balance of the gaming debt.

The suspects, if convicted, will face prison terms of up to 12 years, according to judicial sources.

The Macao Special Administrative Region is the only part in China where licensed casino gaming is legitimate.

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2006)