Allegation Surfaces of Xi Jinping's Cousin Gambling Millions as Crown Casino VVIP

An Australian human rights activist has alleged that a cousin of Chinese President Xi Jinping was a high-stakes gambler at Melbourne's Crown Casino, reportedly wagering "tens of millions of dollars." Drew Pavlou, known for his criticism of the Chinese Communist Party, claimed on social media that the individual was a VVIP, frequently flown in on private jets specifically for gambling purposes. Pavlou stated in his tweet, "> lol Xi Jinping’s cousin was a VVIP at Melbourne Crown Casino and gambled tens of millions of dollars. They used fly him in on private jets just to gamble."

The allegation comes amidst a history of intense scrutiny over Crown Casino's VVIP operations and its dealings with wealthy Chinese high rollers. Past investigations, including the NSW Bergin Inquiry, have revealed systemic failures at Crown, citing concerns about money laundering and associations with junket operators linked to organized crime. These inquiries led to findings that Crown was unsuitable to hold a casino license in Sydney, highlighting a "culture of greed."

Crown Resorts has previously faced accusations of facilitating illicit financial flows and fast-tracking visa applications for its most lucrative clients from China. The practice of flying in wealthy gamblers on private jets, as mentioned in Pavlou's tweet, was a well-documented aspect of the casino's strategy to attract international high rollers, which later became a point of contention in regulatory reviews. Reports detailed how Crown ignored warnings about money laundering and used private jets to bring in wealthy gamblers.

Drew Pavlou, an activist with a prominent social media presence, has frequently used platforms to voice strong allegations against the Chinese Communist Party and figures associated with it. His claims often generate significant public discussion but are sometimes met with skepticism regarding their direct verification due to the nature of their sources, which are often anonymous or difficult to independently confirm. He has been involved in several high-profile disputes related to his activism.

The ongoing focus on high-roller gambling and its potential links to illicit activities continues to challenge casino operators and regulators globally. Allegations of politically connected individuals engaging in high-stakes gambling underscore the complex ethical and legal considerations surrounding the international VVIP casino market and its regulatory oversight.