Published on: June 25, 2026, 12:11h.
Updated on: June 25, 2026, 12:11h.
- A Hong Kong adult entertainment star faces allegations of “promoting or facilitating illegal bookmaking” after purportedly advertising an unlicensed offshore online casino.
- Erena So could face up to seven years in prison along with a fine of HK$5 million (approximately US$637,700).
- The platform allegedly focused on users in areas where online gambling is prohibited, such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Erena So, a well-known adult film actress in Hong Kong, is under scrutiny for reportedly promoting an illegal online casino and sports betting site.
Gambling activities, both offline and online, are illegal in Hong Kong. While casinos are allowed in nearby Macau, engaging in online gambling is strictly forbidden.
According to prosecutors from Hong Kong’s West Kowloon District, So, at the age of 29, has breached the city’s criminal laws by promoting an offshore gambling platform across her social media outlets. Her legal team contends that the influencer-turned-pornography star believed the operation to be legitimate and did not cater to players in Hong Kong.
So has been charged with “promoting or facilitating illegal bookmaking” and was released on bail following the arrest. This charge carries potential penalties of up to seven years in prison alongside a fine of HK$5 million (US$637,700).
Adult Film Star Engages Fans with Gambling
Just this week, So began leveraging her social media platforms to promote the online gambling operation, referring to herself as a “poker goddess”.
Prosecutors indicated that the offshore casino that So is said to represent as a “brand ambassador” provides sports betting, slot machines, casino table games, live dealer experiences, and esports. The unnamed site claims to be “Asia’s premier online gaming brand since 2018,” catering to Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
All forms of online gambling are banned in these three regions. The charges against So highlight that the online gambling site in question is actively marketing during the World Cup to attract bettors.
So is gaining attention in Japan, where she travels frequently to produce and share adult content. Japan is currently listed at +4500 to win the World Cup, sharing the 12th-shortest odds.
The Great Chinese Internet Firewall
While the production and distribution of pornography is permitted in Japan, it is illegal in China where laws strictly ban the creation, sale, distribution, and consumption of adult content according to the People’s Republic’s penal code.
China enforces internet censorship through its renowned “Great Firewall,” aimed at preventing online casinos from operating within its borders. Nevertheless, numerous Chinese citizens use virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass these restrictions.
Offshore gaming operations based in jurisdictions like Curaçao, Malta, Isle of Man, Philippines, Panama, Costa Rica, and Anjouan aggressively target the Chinese market, attracting thousands of Mandarin-speaking individuals to work in their remote live dealer environments and support centers. Reports have surfaced detailing human rights violations often associated with such businesses, including allegations of worker exploitation through deceptive promises of high salaries.