18-3-2024 (SINGAPORE) The Chinese embassy in Singapore has issued a warning to its citizens in the city-state, urging them to refrain from all forms of betting. The embassy emphasized that gambling overseas violates Chinese laws and urged Chinese nationals to enhance their legal awareness and distance themselves from gambling activities. This advisory comes as Beijing intensifies its efforts to crack down on Chinese citizens engaging in gambling across Southeast Asia, a popular tourist destination.
Singapore, home to two casinos—Marina Bay Sands Casino operated by Las Vegas Sands and Resorts World Sentosa Casino operated by Genting Singapore—was specifically mentioned in the embassy’s statement. The embassy highlighted that even if overseas casinos are legally operated, Chinese citizens participating in cross-border gambling may be in violation of Chinese laws. Additionally, the embassy emphasized that consular protection may not be provided for such violations.
China has been increasingly clamping down on cross-border, off-shore, and online gambling, issuing similar warnings to multiple countries as part of its efforts to curb these illegal activities and protect its citizens abroad. The Chinese embassy in Singapore warned of potential risks associated with cross-border gambling, including fraud, money laundering, kidnapping, detention, trafficking, and smuggling. Similar warnings were also recently issued by Chinese embassies in South Korea and Sri Lanka.
In a joint effort with the Philippines, Chinese law enforcement agencies facilitated the repatriation of over 40 Chinese nationals involved in offshore gambling on February 22, as stated by the Chinese embassy in the Philippines. The embassy reiterated that the Chinese government has always opposed any form of gambling and discourages Chinese citizens from engaging in the gambling industry abroad.
Furthermore, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security and Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security have agreed to enhance law enforcement cooperation and signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly combat cross-border gambling.
To aid in combating cross-border and online gambling, the Chinese embassy in Singapore announced that the Ministry of Public Security of China has established a reporting platform. Chinese citizens can use this platform to provide information on clues and suspected gambling activities.
