13 South Korean Casino Managers And 34 Chinese Recruiters Arrested For Allegedly Enticing People From China Into Gambling In Soutn Korea
A total of 13 South Korean casino managers and 34 Chinese agents were arrested by the Chinese police for allegedly enticing Chinese people to engage into gambling in South Korea, as reported by state-run network China Central Television (CCTV) on Monday.
June this year, the Chinese police reportedly initiated a probe into "criminal gangs" who are said to be alluring people from China with free tours and accommodations as well as sexual services in exchange of buying gaming chips.
Further reports have revealed that these groups are coming from five South Korean casinos, as noted by Reuters Oct. 14.
CalvinAyre.com forecasted on the same day that Jeju's casinos allegedly offer different kinds of services depending on the amount of gaming chips one has bought.
For example, gaming chips amounting to $15,700 is equivalent to a massage, while doubling the amount would mean a "one-time service" coming from an aspiring Korean model or actress.
These terms were written in documents that were confiscated from Korean and Chinese recruiters after the authorities raided travel agencies in Beijing, Shanghai, Hebel and Jiangsu last summer.
Chinese recruiters were reportedly given 1.6 percent kickback for every purchase of gaming chips. Aside from that, an additional $31,000 bonus will be given to them if a gambler lost $156,000 and above.
CCTV disclosed that the Chinese police seized almost $4.8 million after conducting several raids on travel agencies.
Meanwhile, an official from the South Korean tourism ministry says the 13 South Koreans are workers of Grand Korea Leisure Co Ltd (GKL) and Paradise Co Ltd.
A spokesman from Paradise verified that 6 of the 13 South Koreans arrested were employees of the company, yet denied claims that the employees are involved in offering the services reported by the state-run television network.
On the other hand, an official from the Chinese Consulate-General in Jeju Island revealed there was an influx of Chinese tourists in the island after a visa-free policy was implemented.