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Tag: Crown Resorts

  • Did China Make Up a Gambling Suicide Story?

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    Posted on: February 16, 2026, 11:30h. 

    Last updated on: February 16, 2026, 11:30h.

    • China is warning its people not to gamble overseas
    • The CPC cited a gambler’s recent suicide in Singapore, though no media or police report has detailed such an incident

    Ahead of the Chinese New Year, China is warning its people that gambling while on holiday poses significant risks, including financial ruin and even suicide.

    China casino gambling New Year holiday
    The New Year Lantern Festival, celebrating the Year of the Horse at Shanghai Yu Garden, is pictured on Feb. 11, 2026. China is warning its people to avoid gambling if traveling cross-border during the holiday period. (Image: Shutterstock)

    China bans casino gambling everywhere on the mainland. The only place under China’s control where casinos are allowed is in Macau, a semi-autonomous Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic.

    By law, Chinese citizens and residents are barred from gambling in foreign countries, though, of course, that doesn’t keep many from doing so while in Australia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Las Vegas.

    The 2026 Chinese New Year is tomorrow, Feb. 17. The Year of the Fire Horse, the Spring Festival holiday period, which began Sunday, runs through Monday, Feb. 23. During the celebration, most workers are afforded paid time off and take their families on vacations, with Singapore, Macau, and other parts of Southeast Asia popular destinations.

    China: Don’t Gamble Overseas

    Chinese President Xi Jinping links cross-border gambling to heightened national security risks. China has always prohibited casinos from marketing their operations to mainlanders.

    In one high-profile case in 2017, China imprisoned 19 employees of Australia-based Crown Resorts for promoting gambling trips Down Under. Jason O’Connor, then the head of Crown’s international VIP program, spent 18 months in a Chinese prison, often described as among the world’s most brutal detention centers.

    With the Chinese New Year in full swing, the CPC, through its embassies, is reminding Chinese people not to gamble internationally. Casino.org obtained and translated the gambling warning issued by the Chinese Embassy in Singapore.

    The Chinese Embassy in Singapore once again solemnly reminds Chinese tourists visiting Singapore and Chinese citizens in Singapore to strengthen their legal awareness and stay away from gambling,” read the notice from the Singaporean Chinese Embassy.

    Singapore is home to two casinos in Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.

    Suicide Story Fabricated?

    The Chinese Embassy in Singapore said gambling comes with significant risks to Chinese people. The Embassy cited a recent incident involving a Chinese tourist at Marina Bay Sands who killed himself after gambling.

    Recently, a Chinese citizen jumped to his death after gambling at the Marina Bay Sands. The Embassy is guiding his family through the funeral arrangements,” the notice said.

    However, there have been no local media or police reports of such a recent suicide at Marina Bay Sands. No story has been made public about any suicide within or from the integrated resort in months.

    “In recent years, our Embassy has handled several deaths related to gambling and has previously issued relevant warnings. Gambling is strictly prohibited under Chinese law, and the amendment to the Criminal Law has formally criminalized cross-border gambling. Even if overseas casinos are legally operating, Chinese citizens who gamble across borders are suspected of violating Chinese law, especially those involved in organizing gambling activities, and will be held legally responsible. The Embassy and consulates cannot provide consular protection for illegal activities,” the statement continued.

    “Participating in gambling leads to financial ruin, family breakdown, and even death. Cross-border gambling may also bring risks such as fraud, money laundering, kidnapping, illegal detention, human trafficking, and human smuggling,” the Embassy notice concluded.  

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    Devin O’Connor

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  • Crown Perth to Implement Carded Play from December 1

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    One of three integrated resorts operated by Crown Resorts in Australia, Crown Perth, will fully implement mandatory carded play across its gaming floor from December 1, 2025, in line with a key recommendation from the 2021 Perth Casino Royal Commission.

    Carded Play Will Soon Come to Crown Perth As Part of Nationwide Rollout

    As part of the rollout, all patrons using electronic gaming machines (EGMs) at the casino will be required to use a personalized membership card that establishes time and loss limits. The card, linked to each player’s account, will restrict play to a maximum of 12 hours per day and 28 hours per week, and will enforce mandatory breaks every three hours.

    Players will be able to set their own limits within the established caps; however, any increases will only take effect after a seven-day cooling-off period. Current members will be required to update their cards, while new patrons can register by having their photo taken and setting their limits with assistance from casino staff. The system includes on-screen tracking and monthly activity statements to help players manage their spending, while also enabling the casino to identify risky behavior and provide support when necessary.

    Mandatory carded play has already been introduced at the Sydney casinos operated by both Crown and its rival, Star Entertainment Group, as well as across the gaming floors of SkyCity Entertainment Group in New Zealand. This comes not long after Crown Perth was cleared for owning a casino license earlier in the year, which marked a significant development for parent company Crown Resorts’ expansion goals in Australia.

    Gaming and Wagering Commission chair Gary Dreibergs stated that the introduction of carded play for electronic gaming machines (EGMs) at Crown Perth Casino is one of several reforms implemented to support the Commission’s goal of reducing gambling-related harm within the Western Australian community. He explained that the Commission has directed the casino to implement a range of measures designed to protect patrons, and carded play is among the chief ones. Dreibergs added that the Gaming and Wagering Commission remains committed to closely monitoring the effectiveness of these initiatives and will continue to hold the Perth Casino licensee to the highest standards of integrity and accountability across its operations.

    Meanwhile, Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said the new carded play system will serve as an additional safeguard for individuals at risk of gambling-related harm. He noted that limits on gaming time and spending will further strengthen Western Australia’s already robust gambling regulations. Papalia added that this initiative represents another major reform delivered from the Perth Casino Royal Commission, with most of its recommendations now either completed or nearing completion.

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    Stefan Velikov

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  • Crown Resorts Warns against Fraudulent Social Media Ads

    Crown Resorts Warns against Fraudulent Social Media Ads

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    Crown Resorts urged the community to exercise caution regarding counterfeit social media accounts and advertisements falsely using Crown’s identity. The operator was adamant that online gambling in Australia was strictly prohibited, reaffirming it did not offer any form of iGaming. Such developments further threaten Crown’s public image as the company struggles with reforms.

    The Operator Urged People to Report Any Offending Websites

    Crown’s official warning highlighted the rising prevalence of fraudulent social media accounts, advertisements, or apps that utilize Crown’s name, logo, images, and other identifying information. The operator was adamant it did not operate an online casino or provide any form of online gambling, as its activities are only limited to its physical venues.

    Crown Resorts advised the public to refrain from engaging with such suspicious accounts, avoid disclosing personal information or credit card details, and promptly report fraudulent content or suspicious activity. Despite the Australian government’s efforts to curb illegal online operators, the country struggles to enforce its regulations, leaving many people vulnerable to gambling harm.

    Crown continuously works with social media and technology companies to seek removal of fraudulent content as a priority.

    Crown Resorts official statement

    The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been the country’s leading authority in identifying and dealing with illegal online operators. It regularly requests internet service providers to block offending websites and has been steadily intensifying its efforts. However, such measures usually have limited success as offending operators can change their IP address and circumvent restrictions.

    Crown Still Struggles to Regain Compliance

    The cautionary message comes amid Crown Resorts’ comprehensive reform initiatives across its Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth integrated resorts. The company is actively working to regain its casino licenses following inquiries in these three states, which delivered unfavorable assessments. Regulators have generally observed steady progress, raising hopes for the beleaguered operator.

    Notably, Crown Melbourne recently implemented mandatory time and loss limits for all patrons using electronic gaming machines in compliance with recommendations from the Finkelstein Royal Commission. The company’s rigorous reform agenda is paying off in other jurisdictions, thanks to company-wide safer gambling initiatives and a determination to return to suitability.

    Despite Crown’s progress, some recent developments have raised new integrity concerns. The company’s CEO is under investigation over allegations that he allowed removed patrons back into the company’s properties. If confirmed, these suspicions could substantially hinder Crown’s progress toward compliance, and seeing the company’s logo on illegal websites does little to improve its image.

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    Deyan Dimitrov

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  • Crown Resorts issues apology, sacks employee after Virat Kohli gets furious over invasion of privacy

    Crown Resorts issues apology, sacks employee after Virat Kohli gets furious over invasion of privacy

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    Cricketer Virat Kohli has revealed that a hotel contractor filmed inside his Perth hotel room while the India superstar was elsewhere.

    Kohli took to social media to condemn the disturbing video, in which a stranger walked through the room filming every step of his way. A second person was also present in the room at the time the video was taken, but their faces are not visible.

    Crown Perth issued an apology statement on Monday afternoon, stating that the contractors involved had been stood down and removed from the Crown account.

    Crown Resorts confirmed that it was aware of the incident and that the video was shot by a contractor working at its Burswood hotel and casino complex.

    The video was titled ‘King Kohli’s Hotel Room,’ and it depicts the star cricketer’s neat and organised belongings.

    “We unreservedly apologise to the guest involved and will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure this remains an isolated incident,” a spokeswoman for the Crown Perth said.

    “We have zero tolerance for this behaviour, and it falls well below the standards we set for our team members and contractors. Crown has taken immediate steps to rectify the issue. The individuals involved have been stood down and removed from the Crown account.”

    Crown said it was investigating with the third-party contractor and would “take any further steps necessary to ensure an incident of this nature does not occur again,” according to the spokeswoman.

    Kohli just scored 12 runs off of 11 balls in India’s T20 World Cup defeat at the hands of South Africa. At the Perth Stadium on Sunday, South Africa defeated India by five wickets in game 30 of the T20 World Cup.

    Also Read: ‘Not okay with this kind of fanaticism’, says Virat Kohli on alleged privacy breach

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