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China calls for foreign help in anti-gambling crackdown

Written by Ben Blaschke

China’s Minister for Public Security, Guo Shengkun, has outlined details to further crack down on cross-border gambling, calling for greater assistance from foreign law enforcement agencies in preventing overseas operators from targeting Chinese players.

Speaking at a gathering in Beijing, Guo made specific mention of a tougher stance on online gambling and underground banks, including junket operators, stating, “work units and individuals who induce and organize tourists to visit overseas casinos” will be “seriously investigated and prosecuted,” according to state-owned news agency Xinhua.

His comments come after the arrests of 18 Crown Resorts employees last October on suspicion of committing gambling crimes by marketing Crown’s gaming operations to Chinese VIPs.

Guo said that the latest phase of its anti-gambling operations would, “dig deep and strike underground banks and online payment platforms who provide capital settlement to cross-border online gambling.”

“The bureau should strengthen international cooperation in anti-gambling and step up overseas law enforcement cooperation and fugitive repatriation,” he said.