China is said to be expanding blacklist for cross-border gambling
China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism said that it would add more destinations to its “blacklist” for overseas gambling tourist destinations, according to a state-run outlet.
Xinhua cited the ministry as saying in the latest update that it and “relevant departments” would “make a list of the second batch of overseas destinations that attract Chinese tourists for gambling activities, which will be subsequently added to the system”.
The so-called “blacklist system” for overseas gambling destinations was first announced in August, to “better regulate the tourism market and safeguard the lives and property of Chinese citizens,” said the ministry at the time.
Investment analysts have previously said China’s blacklist was seen as a “gentle warning” to emerging gambling jurisdictions in Southeast Asia, such as Cambodia, the Philippines or Vietnam, and possibly to Australia – destinations where a vast majority of VIP demand is said to come from China, predominantly via junket operators.
Under a change in mainland China criminal law, anyone who “organises” mainland Chinese for the purpose of overseas gambling will be deemed to have committed a criminal act.
