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Chinese authorities arrest 14 for luring Chinese gamblers


 Chinese authorities have arrested 14 South Koreans, including employees from major casino operators Grand Korea Leisure Co. and Paradise Co., for allegedly luring Chinese gamblers to foreigners-only casinos in South Korea.

Citing a South Korean official who chose to remain anonymous, Yonhap News agency said the suspects will face charges of attracting Chinese citizens to casinos and violating foreign currency laws.

Also among those arrested were workers at travel agencies in China, according to the official.

Gambling is illegal in mainland China, and Chinese gamblers often travel to neighboring countries, including the Chinese territory of Macau and South Korea.

In February, Hua Jingfeng, a deputy director at China’s Ministry of Public Security, said Chinese authorities will crack down on casino operators from neighboring countries that have set up offices “to attract and recruit Chinese citizens” to gamble abroad.

 "Some foreign countries see our nation as an enormous market, and we have investigated a series of cases," Hua told reporters, according to a transcript on state media websites.

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