BEIJING: China’s embassy in Singapore on Monday (Mar 18) urged its citizens in the city-state to stay away from all forms of betting, saying gambling overseas violates Chinese laws.
The warning comes as Beijing intensifies its efforts to crack down on Chinese citizens gambling across Southeast Asia, a popular tourist destination.
In a statement, the embassy “solemnly reminded” the majority of Chinese in Singapore to enhance their legal awareness and stay away from gambling. Singapore is home to two casinos, Marina Bay Sands Casino, operated by Las Vegas Sands, and Resorts World Sentosa Casino, operated by Genting Singapore.
“Even if overseas casinos are legally opened, cross-border gambling by Chinese citizens is suspected of violating the laws of our country,” the embassy said, adding that embassies and consulates may not be able to provide consular protection for violations.
China has been intensifying its crackdown on cross-border, off-shore and online gambling, sending similar warnings to several countries as it tries to curb these illegal activities and threats to citizens abroad.
“Cross-border gambling may also bring risks such as fraud, money laundering, kidnapping, detention, trafficking, and smuggling,” the Chinese embassy in Singapore said in its statement on Monday.
Source: CNA
