Chinese Embassy Issues Gambling Risks Advisory After Singapore Incident
China’s embassy in Singapore warned Chinese nationals on February 14 to avoid gambling overseas after reports that a visitor linked to Marina Bay Sands died following a fall, a notice that carries outsized weight during Lunar New Year travel.
Key Takeaways:
- Chinese embassy warns citizens about gambling risks following death at Marina Bay Sands
- Increased scrutiny and behavioral shifts expected at Singapore’s integrated resorts
- Singapore remains a popular destination for Chinese nationals
A Chinese embassy notice, posted on WeChat, warning citizens in Singapore to avoid gambling following a reported death tied to Marina Bay Sands has added an immediate layer of demand risk for the city‑state’s integrated resorts.
According to the embassy statement reported by Global Times, the reminder cited gambling risks under PRC law and urged citizens to report suspected operators of cross‑border gambling. This advisory does not change Singapore’s legal framework but may shift behavior among high‑spend visitors and intermediaries.
The advisory arrived during peak Lunar New Year travel, when high‑value Chinese visitation typically increases.
“First, gambling is strictly prohibited under Chinese law, and the amendment to the Criminal Law has formally criminalized cross-border gambling. Embassies cannot provide consular protection for illegal activities,” the embassy said in its advisory notice, per Inside Asian Gaming.
The embassy has handled similar cases in recent years.
Singapore’s tourism authority has publicly stressed the city‑state’s broader appeal, popularity and mutual visa arrangements that continue to support arrivals from China.
