Chinese authorities have detained 18 employees, including three senior Australian executives, of Crown Resorts, the Australian gaming and resorts company controlled by billionaire James Packer.
The move is believed to be linked to a legal blitz launched by China last year against foreign casinos that contravene its laws by seeking to lure its citizens overseas to gamble. The campaign, part of Beijing’s wider crackdown on corruption, last year led to the arrest of more than a dozen South Korean casino managers.
Crown said on Sunday it was working urgently with the Australian department of foreign affairs to make contact with its employees and ascertain their welfare.