The Crown Resorts logo is displayed at the entrance of the Crown Towers hotel in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo : Getty Images)
Australia consular officials in Shanghai have been reportedly making arrangements to visit the 18 employees of Australian Crown Resorts Ltd who were detained by Chinese authorities last week, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement on Monday, Oct. 17.
Reuters said that the details of the meeting are not yet known or when the meetings would take place.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who had been criticized by China for blocking the Chinese takeovers of Australian utilities and agriculture holdings, also express concern on Tuesday, Oct. 18, over the arrests.
"When Australians get into trouble overseas, we always provide consular support and that is precisely what is happening there now," Turnbull said on Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio.
The move came as billionaire James Packer, a majority owner of Australian Crown Resorts Ltd, expressed concern for the 18 employees who were held for alleged "gambling crimes" on Monday, Oct. 17, as the industry sees a crackdown on the promotion of offshore gaming by international companies.
Among those detained were three Australians, including Jason O'Connor, Crown's head of international VIP gambling.
"I am deeply concerned for the welfare of those Crown employees detained in China," Packer said in a statement. "I am respectful that these detentions have occurred in another country and are therefore subject to their sovereign rules and investigative processes."
In a statement released on Monday, Oct, 17, China's Foreign Ministry said that it is investigating the group for suspected "gambling crimes."
Promoting casinos or gambling, such as advertising resort facilities or offering credit to clients, is prohibited in China. Last year, 13 South Korean casino managers were imprisoned after they offered Chinese gamblers with free tours, free hotel accommodation and sexual services.
Amid concerns over the detention case, the shares of Crown dropped by 14 percent on Monday, while its rival, Star Entertainment Group Ltd fell by 6 percent.
