The Ministry of Public Security published a circular on its
website yesterday that it said it recently sent to local police
departments, ordering them to help curb cross-border gambling by
targeting agencies that organize employment for and excursions to
casinos in neighboring countries.
"Various levels of local public security departments must adopt
more effective measures to prevent overseas gambling venues from
establishing agencies in China, under the pretext of being
entertainment companies, in order to attract Chinese customers,"
the circular said.
The date it was issued was not reported, but it said "officials
who neglect their duties will be investigated" and punished in
accordance with the law.
It said agencies organizing tours for Chinese gamblers to
overseas casinos should not be given permission to run them by
local police, and any agencies set up on the mainland by foreign
gambling houses should also be closed.
The circular also required border inspection checkpoints to
strengthen examinations in border areas.
Ministry sources said they would work together with other
departments to enforce regulations that forbid employment agencies
dispatching people to work in overseas gambling companies, or
employees who have worked in them from leaving China for one to
five years.
Earlier this year, joint operations with authorities in
neighboring countries resulted in the closure of many casinos in
their border areas. But, according to Xinhua News Agency, many have
recently made a comeback, once again catering mainly to Chinese
gamblers.
(China Daily September 15, 2005)