Several employees of Australia-based gambling firm Crown Resorts are reported to have been apprehended in China.

These employees are believed to include local people as well as Australians and are said to be from sales and marketing division. A senior executive is also thought to be among the employees held.

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ABC reported that out of the 18 employees involved, three are reportedly Australians. Crown Resorts has not revealed the reasons behind the arrest. However, it issued a statement confirming the "questioning" of the employees. Chinese authorities have not issued any confirmation about it, too.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said that while it is aware of reports related to the possible detention of three Australians, it still needs to confirm them. DFAT also said if the reports turn out to be true, appropriate consular assistance will be extended per the provisions of Consular Services Charter.

The Chinese government is currently carrying out an anti-corruption drive, which aims at money laundering rackets in Macau casinos. Crown Resorts operates three casinos in Macau, but the arrest was allegedly made in multiple cities in the mainland. It is not clear whether the detainees have been charged with anything.

China does not allow casino gambling in the mainland, however, they are allowed to operate in Macau.

It was learned that the casinos in Macau are currently going through a rough patch as steep decline in the revenue was reported last year. It is believed that the overall revenue sank by more than a third.

TagsMacau, Crown Resorts, President Xi Jinping