Police have arrested five people, aged 26 to 48, for illegal soccer bookmaking.

Organised Crime & Triad Bureau officers raided four places in Cheung Sha Wan, Pat Heung and Tin Shui Wai today, seizing $2 million worth of betting slips, four sets of computers and other bookmaking paraphernalia.

The three men and two women arrested are being detained for further enquiries.

Under the Gambling Ordinance, anyone engaged in illegal bookmaking faces a $5 million fine and seven years' jail.

Betting with unauthorised bookmakers, upon first conviction, brings a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine and three months' jail. For the second and third convictions, it is a $20,000 fine plus six months' prison, and a $30,000 fine and nine months jail.