BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Culture on Monday said 36 online game operators have been punished for providing illegal content.

The 36 online game operators, which were found providing gambling-related and other illegal content and instigating crimes, were fined and their illegal gains were confiscated, the ministry said.

The punishment came after the ministry held a random inspection tour for online games in major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and others.

The ministry said it has planned another random inspection of livestreaming services, saying that the first round of inspection will select 50 of the country's 100 operators.

Law enforcement teams will crack down on prohibited content, including immoral, superstitious and pornographic material.

Operators who break the law will be shut down if circumstances are serious, the ministry said.