拉斯维加斯金沙赌场被指控与中国黑社会的关系(2)

　　译文：

　　LAS VEGAS SANDS CASINO ACCUSED OF DEALING WITH CHINESE TRIAD

　　The Nevada based Las Vegas Sands casino group may face serious problems both in Nevada and on a federal level after it has been discovered that it authorized a transfer of $100,000 made by an alleged criminal organization member to an Asian casino.

　　The new agency Reuters is claiming that the Nevada based brick-and-mortal casino Las Vegas Sands has authorized a payment of $100,000 made by a Chinese citizen to a casino in Macau. The person in question was Charles Heung Wah Keung known to be a member of an Asian organized crime syndicate.

　　Allegedly the transfer has been conducted in January 2009 from the Venetian Casino in Las Vegas to the Sands of Macau Casino. The transfer has been discovered by Reuters this year when it investigated a case of a termination suit against Las Vegas Sands by ex-Sands China CEO Steve Jacobs.

　　This isn't the first case Las Vegas Sands gets accused of such things. There are already multiple investigations going on in the US, Macau and Hong Kong against the gambling group due to alleged money laundering and bribery of Chinese officials.

　　This news could seriously affect the reputation of the casino group in the US and may as well determine the Nevadan gambling authorities to take action. It's not sure if the license of the gambling group is in danger but observers argue that dealing with alleged organized crime members will not be taken lightly.

　　The situation may also negatively influence Las Vegas Sands chairman Sheldon Adelson's image and indirectly also affect the Republican Party. This is because earlier the year Sheldon Adelson has donated a sum of $41.1 to the Republican Party and commented he would donate another $60 in order to prevent Barack Obama from winning a second term.

　　Sheldon Adelson is also one of the biggest opponents of online poker and online gambling regulation in the US. On multiple occasions Adelson commented that online gambling should not become regulated in the States due to the "dangers" it represents to society.

　　It's widely believed that one of the major reasons he's so active in supporting the Republican Party is to be able to influence legislation regarding online gambling and online poker in the US. Sheldon Adelson fears that online poker might negatively influence his land-casino business.