A total of 34 defendants from a gang, including the gang head Hu Weisheng, were tried in a public hearing in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Monday, China News Service reported.

Hu, who claimed to be American-Chinese, and his gang members were charged with intentionally causing injuries, opening casinos and illegally owning guns and bullets in the city of Huizhou.

An investigation found Hu and his gang to illegally earn more than 48 million yuan ($7.8 million) from operating casinos alone between 2011 and 2012.

Hu and his gang members were detained in Huizhou in June 2012.

The open trial, at Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court, will last 15 days.