China said to have warned Crown, other casino operators, last year about targeting mainland high rollers
Australian diplomats visit suspects detained in China gambling probe
Chinese authorities warned Crown Resorts last year to halt its efforts to attract high rollers from the mainland to gamble overseas, according to a person familiar with the government’s move to detain 18 of the Melbourne-based company’s employees.
Australian diplomats have visited two citizens detained in Shanghai as part of the Chinese police probe into Crown Resorts, Australia’s largest casino operator.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a statement on Tuesday that consular officials visited two Australian Crown Resorts employees who have been detained and have asked to visit a third. Bishop did not provide details about the employees’ conditions or the Chinese investigation.
Three Australians and 15 Chinese Crown Resorts employees have been detained since last Thursday and questioned for suspected involvement in gambling crimes.
Although charges have not been announced, industry analysts speculate that the case could stem from Crown Resorts’ efforts to lure high-rolling Chinese gamblers to its overseas casinos.