BEIJING - China's police have investigated 1,527 gambling cases and detained more than 5,300 suspects since the beginning of this year, according to the Ministry of Public Security on Sunday.

The cases were uncovered in provinces of Anhui, Hubei, Liaoning, Fujian and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the ministry said.

Fly-by-night gambling venues in suburbs and rural areas and online gambling are increasing in China with some entertainment places organize gambling in the guise of poker games.

The ministry said that it will severely punish gambling venues and organizers, and make a stand against online gambling.

Public security staff who fail to investigate gambling will be held responsible, and those who provide protection to gamblers will be subject to criminal prosecution, the ministry said.

The ministry also encouraged the public to report suspicions via its Weibo account.