Chinese embassy warns nationals after Marina Bay Sands casino death in Singapore

Content warning: This article contains mentions of suicide.

Singapore’s Chinese embassy has issued a sharp warning to its citizens after a Chinese national died by suicide following gambling at the Marina Bay Sands casino.

In a notice released Saturday (February 14), the embassy said it is helping the family of the deceased and used the case to caution both residents and tourists from China to stay away from gambling while in Singapore. The advisory comes just ahead of the Spring Festival travel rush, when visitor numbers are expected to climb.

Officials said the consular section has handled several gambling-related deaths in recent years. With more holidaymakers heading overseas, the embassy urged Chinese nationals to strengthen their legal awareness and think carefully about the consequences of taking part in gambling activities abroad.

In recent years, the Embassy has handled several cases of death caused by gambling and has previously issued related reminders.

Chinese Embassy in Singapore

The statement made clear that even if casinos operate legally in other countries, Chinese citizens may still face trouble under Chinese law. Amendments to China’s Criminal Law have tightened rules around cross-border gambling, and authorities consider both participation and organization of overseas gambling to be potential crimes.

The embassy stressed that diplomatic missions cannot shield citizens from the consequences of illegal conduct. It also warned that gambling can spiral beyond financial losses, leading to family breakdown, personal harm and, in extreme cases, death.

China doubles down on zero tolerance for gambling amid Singapore casino death

China’s tough stance on gambling has drawn attention repeatedly in recent years. Authorities have carried out sweeping crackdowns on cross-border gambling syndicates, including the execution of 11 members of a major gambling scam crime family in a high-profile case aimed at deterring organized operations. In another instance, the Chinese Communist Party disciplined five officials in Hubei province for gambling and card playing, reinforcing that even party members are not exempt from punishment.

Against that backdrop, the Singapore advisory also pointed out the darker side of gambling networks. The embassy warned that cross-border gambling can expose individuals to fraud, money laundering schemes, kidnapping, detention, human trafficking and other criminal activity. The risks, it said, often extend well beyond the casino floor.

Chinese citizens were encouraged to report any attempts to organize or promote cross-border gambling involving nationals from China. The Ministry of Public Security has set up reporting channels, including an online platform, email contacts and a dedicated WeChat account focused on rejecting cross-border gambling.

Featured image: Nicolas Lannuzel via WikiCommons / CC BY-SA 2.0

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