More work being done in China to stop cross-border gambling crime

Plans to crack down on cross-border gambling crime continue in China, as the Ministry of Public Security has provided more details on how it plans to sustain the country’s economic security and public stability. Zhao Kezhi is the Minister of Public Security and he conducted a meeting this week titled “Combating Cross-border Gambling.” During this meeting, Kezhi provided details on how officials plan to destroy syndicates that operate cross-border gambling in China.

Stop Illegal Fundraising Networks

According to the Minister, the focus is to stop illegal fundraising for gambling in the country. Kezhi wants to see the capital chain related to gambling cut off, along with any technology and promotions, as well as gambler flows.

International cooperation will be strengthened so that countries located near China can help stop cross-border crime. The blacklist of overseas tourist destinations will also be expanded, with areas added that attract tourists from China to gamble.

In a statement, Kezhi said: “We must strictly punish and prevent the soil of cross-border gambling, using the highest and heaviest penalties to achieve the strongest legal deterrence.”

For more than a year now, China has been working to stop cross-border gambling from taking place. Anyone involved in such activities has been told to stop or face penalties. A blacklist was also created to stop travelers from going to areas where individuals from China are targeted to gamble, which disrupts the country’s outbound tourism sector.

Early Blacklist Growth

In late January, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in China reported that more destinations would be added to the blacklist system. The system was first announced in 2020 and works to regulate the tourism market in China. The goal is to safeguard the lives and property of Chinese citizens.

The travel restrictions are imposed on citizens of China who want to travel to overseas destinations that are on the list. For gaming analysts, they see the list as a warning to the gambling markets in nearby Vietnam, Cambodia, and Australia.

These areas have seen considerable growth over the years in the gambling market and cater to players from around the world, including China. Each of these destinations has a VIP demand that comes from China, as junket operators help to push players in their direction.

A new criminal law became active on March 1, which will criminalize anyone who organizes a trip for individuals from the mainland in order to gamble overseas. Junket operators have been encouraged for months now not to market to players located in China as they will be prosecuted.