As part of its national crackdown on gambling, Chinese officials arrested 13 South Korean casino managers and their Chinese helpers for trying to lure people to South Korea to gamble.
Chinese state television early this month reported police investigated what it calls “criminal gangs” from five casinos in South Korea that are accused of enticing casino gamblers with free hotel stays, free tours, and prostitutes.
China bans casino advertising on its mainland, and South Korean officials say the 13 arrested work for the Grand Korea Leisure and Paradise companies. Paradise officials denied any knowledge of the alleged activities, and South Korean officials said it’s not clear whether the 13 officially have been charged with crimes.
Chinese officials say the 13 were trying to lure visitors to casinos located on South Korea’s Jeju Island and claim the casinos promised sexual favors for gamblers who bought a large number of gaming chips.
Marketing materials detailed the various complementary benefits gamblers could expect when visiting the casinos, and the recruiters receive a 1.6 percent kickback on the amount of chips a gambler buys, the Chinese claim.
South Korea has 17 casinos and 14 casino operators.
