Jailed Crown Resorts Workers Released From Prison

China has released all 19 current and former employees of Australian casino operator Crown Resorts Ltd. who were imprisoned for illegally recruiting Chinese high rollers to its properties in Macau, the company said on Monday, ending a point of tension between the two countries.

The case cast a spotlight on Beijing’s campaign emphasizing frugality and also its crackdown on corruption, since freewheeling Macau is seen by many as a place of extravagance and big spending by corrupt officials. It also shed light on the aggressive tactics that foreign casino operators like Crown use to lure big spenders to the former Portuguese enclave.

Crown said that following the recent release of people arrested and jailed in the case, all 19 of its current and former employees are now free.

“Crown is pleased that all of our employees have now been released and reunited with their families and loved ones,” said John Alexander, the company’s executive chairman. “Crown is deeply appreciative of the support provided by legal counsel and thanks the (Australian) Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian government for their professionalism and assistance throughout the course of the matter.”

The 19 employees, including three Australian nationals, were detained last year and sentenced after a brief trial two months ago, most receiving nine to 10 months. Three posted bail a short time later, and didn’t receive jail sentences. Those imprisoned had their sentences made effective from the date of their detention in October, meaning all served their time. Crown was also fined 8.62 million yuan ($1.29 million).

Crown previously operated in Macau through a joint venture, Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd. But after the incident, it sold out its remaining stake in the venture to its partner in May.

The case marks the latest involving the foreign nationals falling afoul of Chinese laws, as Beijing tries to clean up the country’s corporate landscape.

In 2014, the former China head of British drug giant GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK) received a three-year suspended jail sentence for his role in a scandal involving bribery of doctors and healthcare officials to buy the company’s drugs. Two other foreigner nationals hired as investigators by GSK were also jailed for two years for their role in an internal company investigation related to the case.

Contact reporter Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)