在1960年代的香港,賽馬已經是市民熟悉的娛樂活動。除了正式的賽馬投注之外,涉及外國賽馬的非法投注活動亦存在於社會之中,成為警方需要處理的治安問題。
報章當日以「外國馬風起雲湧」為題,報道警方一天內採取行動,破獲七個涉嫌非法接受外國馬投注的「架步」。
In 1960s Hong Kong, horse racing was already a familiar part of everyday life. Alongside legal betting, however, illegal betting on overseas horse races also existed and became a matter of concern for the police.
Under the headline “外國馬風起雲湧”, the newspaper reported that the police carried out a series of operations in one day, raiding seven suspected illegal betting dens, known at the time as “架步”.
內容|Content
報道指出,警方針對外國馬投注活動展開調查及掃蕩行動,一日之內先後破獲七個涉嫌非法接受投注的場所。
「架步」是當年香港報章及社會常用的說法,指一些接受非法賭注的場所。與正式賽馬投注不同,這些地下投注活動並非透過合法渠道進行,因此成為警方打擊非法博彩工作的對象。
從新聞的標題及報道方式,可以看出當時外國賽馬投注受到一定程度的社會關注。「風起雲湧」這個形容,也帶有當時非法投注活動相當活躍的意味。
警方一天內破獲七個架步,顯示當時執法部門對地下投注活動採取了較積極的打擊行動。
The report stated that the police investigated and conducted raids against illegal betting activities connected with foreign horse races. Seven suspected illegal betting premises were uncovered in a single day.
The term “架步” was commonly used in Hong Kong at the time to describe an illegal betting establishment. Unlike legal horse-racing betting, these underground operations operated outside authorised channels and therefore became a target of police enforcement.
The wording of the headline also gives an indication of the public attention surrounding betting on foreign horse races at the time. The phrase “風起雲湧” suggested that such activities were considered widespread or particularly active.
The fact that seven betting dens were raided in one day illustrates the efforts being made by the authorities to combat illegal betting operations in Hong Kong.
當年新聞小詞典|Period Term
架步|Betting Den
「架步」是舊香港常見的社會用語,主要指非法接受賭注的場所。這個詞在今天已較少使用,但在當年的報章新聞中相當常見。
“架步” was a period term commonly used in Hong Kong for an illegal betting establishment. The expression is now largely historical, but it appeared frequently in newspaper reports of the period.
總結|Conclusion
「外國馬風起雲湧|一日破獲七個架步」表面上是一宗警方掃蕩非法投注的新聞,背後卻反映了1960年代香港社會的博彩文化,以及當時地下投注活動所帶來的治安問題。
一頁舊報紙中的一則短新聞,保存的不只是一次警方行動,也讓今天的讀者看到當年香港人的生活、娛樂及社會環境。
The story “Illegal Betting on Foreign Horse Races|Seven Betting Dens Raided in One Day” may appear to be simply a report about a police crackdown, but it also reflects the gambling culture of 1960s Hong Kong and the law-enforcement challenges posed by underground betting.
A short newspaper report from the past therefore preserves more than the details of a police operation. It offers a glimpse into the everyday life, leisure activities and social environment of Hong Kong at the time.
資料來源|Source
本文根據歷史報章原版版面整理、轉寫及中英文編譯。部分原文因報紙年代久遠及影像保存狀況,可能存在辨識限制。
This article is based on the original historical newspaper page and has been edited, transcribed and translated into Chinese and English. Some original wording may be difficult to verify due to the age and condition of the newspaper.