Tourism authorities in South Korea are refuting reports that casinos in Jeju Island are offering sexual services to lure Chinese gamblers.
Last week, state-run television network China Central Television (CCTV) ran an expose in which it claimed that there was a contract promising sexual services to gamblers if they buy a certain volume of gaming chips at the island’s casinos.
According to the report, chips worth RMB 100,000 ($15,700) are equivalent to a massage. Double that sum will entitle the gambler a “one-time service” from a budding Korean model or actress, and spending RMB 500,000 in the casinos will get you three days’ worth of services.
Jeju casinos and South Korea‘s tourism authorities didn’t deny the existence of alleged sexual services. Instead, they turned the tables on the Chinese government, explaining the said services were actually offered by a Chinese agency that is unrelated to the casinos, Want China Times reported.
In a statement, the casinos admitted the commission Chinese nationals to recruit gamblers in China, noting that each casino may have 10 agencies with commissions reaching up to 50 percent, according to the news outlet.
There are eight small casinos currently operating on the island, which is considered by the South Korean government as a self-governing province able to run its own casino-related development program. Two large-scale foreigners-only casino projects are in development: Resorts World Jeju, whose first phase is set to open in 2017, and Lotte’s Dream Tower which is expected to open in the second half of 2018.
Samsung Lions players under probe for overseas gambling
Meanwhile, authorities are investigating three key pitchers for South Korea’s Samsung Lions team on charges of illegal overseas gambling.
The players reportedly gambled at a Macau casino three times after the last session was over, according to Korea Times. If confirmed, the investigation could deal a blow on the ongoing Korea Baseball Organization postseason since the Lions are vying for its fifth Korean Series championship.
Under the local law, overseas gambling is deemed illegal “when the frequency and amount of their betting becomes significant,” according to the report. Authorities said the three players borrowed tens of thousands of won from the gangsters, and then paid the debts after they returned home. One player reportedly lost 700 million won.
