SINGAPORE: The Chinese Embassy in Singapore issued a warning to its citizens in the land of the “Lion” not to gamble, stressing that gambling abroad violates Chinese law.
This warning was issued amid Beijing’s efforts to eradicate gambling among its citizens in Southeast Asia, which is a popular tourist destination.
The embassy “firmly reminded” Chinese citizens in Singapore to increase their legal awareness and stay away from gambling.
Singapore is home to two major casinos namely Marina Bay Sands Casino, operated by Las Vegas Sands, and Resorts World Sentosa Casino, operated by Genting Singapore.
“While overseas casinos are legal, cross-border gambling by Chinese citizens allegedly violates our country’s laws,” the embassy said, adding that embassies and consulates may not be able to provide consular protection for violators.
China has tightened its crackdown on cross-border gambling both on-site and online, spreading threats to its citizens abroad.
“Cross-border gambling can also carry risks such as fraud, money laundering, kidnapping, detention, trafficking and smuggling.”
The Chinese embassies in South Korea and Sri Lanka also issued similar warnings recently.
Law enforcement in China and the Philippines worked together to repatriate more than 40 Chinese citizens involved in gambling abroad on February 22.
“The Chinese government has always opposed all forms of gambling and prohibits overseas Chinese citizens from engaging in the gambling industry,” the Chinese embassy in the Philippines said.
In addition, the public security ministers of China and Vietnam agreed to increase law enforcement cooperation by signing a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat cross-border gambling.
