Chinese authorities have arrested 142 people for allegedly soliciting gamblers for trips to Summit Ascent’s Tigre de Cristal in Russia’s Primorye casino district.
According to the Sing Tao Daily, the case involved RMB1.6 billion ($250 million) in funds used for gambling. Police accused the suspects of being a cross-border gambling criminal group. Of the 142 people arrested, 75 face prosecution, reported Asia Gaming Brief.
China has strict policies against the promotion of cross-border gambling on the mainland and has increased its efforts to prevent capital flight for that purpose.
Tigre de Cristal in the Russian Far East is located near the port city of Vladivostok. The junket was reportedly organized by 18 “shell companies” that made capital transfers. The police probe also identified four alleged “underground banks” and “10 travel agencies” said to be serving gamblers.
“According to our findings, since the launch of the Tigre de Cristal casino, the cross-border gambling criminal group has solicited Chinese citizens to gamble there via contracting VIP gambling rooms,” stated authorities, noting that the solicitation was done via the format of “guided” trips for gambling purposes.
