China Warns Its Citizens Not To Do Foreign Gambling

Illustration of gambling. (Unsplash/mparzuchowski)

JAKARTA - The Chinese Embassy in Singapore on Monday urged its citizens in the country to stay away from all forms of gambling, saying gambling abroad violates Chinese law.

The warning comes as Beijing intensifys its efforts to crack down on Chinese citizens gambling in Southeast Asia, which is a popular tourist destination.

In a statement, the embassy "in earnestly reminded" the majority of Chinese citizens in Singapore to raise their legal awareness and stay away from gambling.

Singapore is home to two well-known casinos, one operated by Las Vegastudy and the other Genting Singapore.

"Even if overseas casinos are legally opened, cross-border gambling by Chinese nationals is suspected of violating our country's laws," the embassy said, adding the embassy and consulate may not be able to provide consular protection for offenses.

The Bamboo Curtain country has intensified its crackdown on cross-border, offshore and online gambling, sending similar warnings to several countries while trying to curb this illegal activity and threats to citizens abroad.

" Cross-border gambling can also pose risks such as fraud, money laundering, kidnapping, detention, human trafficking and smuggling," the Chinese Embassy in Singapore said in a statement.

The Chinese Embassy in Singapore said China's Ministry of Public Security opened a reporting platform to combat cross-border and online gambling, where Chinese citizens can convey indications and allegations of activity.

Apart from Singapore, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea and Sri Lanka also issued similar warnings recently.

On February 22, law enforcement agencies in China and the Philippines worked together to repatriate more than 40 Chinese citizens involved in gambling abroad, according to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines.

"The Chinese government always opposes all forms of gambling and opposes Chinese citizens from leaving their country to engage in the gambling industry," the embassy said.

In addition, the Ministers of Public Security of China and Vietnam agreed to increase law enforcement cooperation, sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat cross-border gambling.