China’s new restrictions on package tours to gambling hubs

Casino markets around the world could face declines in the number of Chinese mass market gamblers entering their casino venues due to Beijing’s new rules on package tour operations.

On Friday, Chinese media outlet Caixin reported that the China National Tourism Administration had announced new rules for domestic organizers of international holiday package tours. The new restrictions are aimed at reducing Chinese tourists’ ability to access gambling, drugs, sex and fun, apparently, while traveling abroad.

Specifically, the tourism watchdog’s new Rules on the Oversight of Tour Guides threaten to revoke the licenses and impose fines of up to RMB 20k (US $3k) on tour organizers who ferry customers to international ports of call for the purposes of debauchery. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2018.

Tour operators will face the same sanctions if they make unscheduled alterations to their travelers’ itineraries or force them to make pitstops at pricey ripoff souvenir stores. Chinese media is replete with tales of tour guides berating tourists who decline to make sufficient purchases at these partner stores.