According to a report by China Press on January 27 (local time), Lu Xiangyi (吕相宜), aged 21, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, with a one-year suspended sentence, and fined 10,000 yuan (approximately 1.98 million KRW).

Court documents reveal that in June of last year, Lu Xiangyi rented a shop in Changning District, Shanghai. Using Texas Holdem Poker, she lured gamblers through a Chinese chat service and charged table fees. However, in August of the same year, she was arrested by Chinese law enforcement authorities.

The local prosecutor recommended leniency after Lu made a full and honest confession at the scene. She did not contest the charges, voluntarily admitted guilt, and signed a statement acknowledging her actions.

Lu Xiangyi joined Chinese girl group SNH48 in August 2022 and was active for over a year before leaving the group in April of last year. It was revealed that she began operating the casino just two months after leaving the team.

Netizens expressed shock at the news, with comments such as, “Even those born after the 2000s are running casinos now,” and, “She has an extremely weak understanding of the law,” criticizing Lu’s actions.

Meanwhile, SNH48 is a popular Chinese girl group that started activities in Shanghai in 2012. The group operates on a generational system and is divided into five units. Lu Xiangyi was a 17th-generation member and part of Team X. SNH48 continues to remain active to this day.