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SHANGHAI (AP) — The Latest on the criminal trial of Australian and Chinese casino workers in a Chinese court (all times local):
1:30 p.m.
An Australian official says Australian and Chinese employees of a casino company have pleaded guilty to charges relating to gambling in a Chinese court and that the three Australians have been sentenced to nine and 10 months' imprisonment.
The 19 employees of Australia's Crown Resorts Ltd. stood trial at a court in Shanghai on Monday.
Australian Consul General in Shanghai Graeme Meehan says Jason O'Connor, the head of Australia's Crown Resorts international VIP programs, was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He says Jerry Xuan and Jenny Pan received sentences of nine months' imprisonment.
Meehan said outside court that the sentences start from the date they were detained, which was Oct. 14.
Casino gambling and the promoting of gambling are illegal in mainland China.
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11 a.m.
Australian and Chinese casino employees are standing trial on charges relating to gambling, in a case that highlights the sensitivity of doing certain businesses in China.
Three Australians from the sales and marketing team of Australia's Crown Resorts Ltd. are among the 19 listed on trial at the Baoshan District People's Court in Shanghai. The Australians are Jason O'Connor, the head of Crown's International VIP programs, and Australian-Chinese dual nationals Jerry Xuan and Jenny Pan.
Crown's vice-president in China, Malaysian Alfread Gomez, is also on trial.
Casino gambling and the promoting of gambling are illegal in mainland China and agents are banned from organizing groups of more than 10 Chinese citizens to gamble abroad. According to Chinese law, anyone who "runs a gambling house or makes gambling his profession" can face up to three years in prison.
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