Police officials have identified offices and representatives of overseas casinos as a specific target of the campaign and have sealed several belonging to border casinos. Xinhua reported two weeks ago that the State Administration for Industry and Commerce had instructed local offices to refuse applications for the setting up of representative offices.

Yet, representatives of Las Vegas casino companies including Harrah's Entertainment, MGM Mirage and Caesars Entertainment have continued to ply their trade on the mainland, and Wynn indicated at a Nevada Gaming Control Board hearing last week that he believes he will be able to, too.

According to the Las Vegas Sun, Wynn told the board his marketers will promote dining and shopping at his resorts. ``We're not just hustling people to play baccarat,'' he said.

``The last thing we want to do is upset the government of China,'' Wynn said. ``They've very clearly drawn the line.''

Wynn wasn't so careful in pressuring the Macau government to adopt a gambling credit law. Officials in the territory have said Wynn's public brinksmanship ultimately delayed the law's passage by pushing them into a corner.

Wynn aims to open the US$705 million (HK$5.5 billion) Wynn Macau late next year. The Nevada board voted to endorse Wynn's plans to open the US$2.7 billion Wynn Las Vegas next month. The Sun reported that Wynn has already set up marketing offices in Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore and Tokyo.

Underscoring the need for caution in the mainland, the China National Tourism Administration posted an article on its Web site Thursday reporting that it had instructed its local offices to stop travel agencies from organizing gambling tours to Macau. Previous reports had not specified that Macau was a target of the bans.

Yet as Wynn's comments indicate, casino operators are circumventing the restrictions by playing up other attractions. The Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino in the South Pacific for example is promoted on the mainland as a balmy tropical island destination.

Hong Kong officials face similar difficulties in enforcing the SAR's ban on television advertisements for gambling businesses. The new Greek Mythology Casino in Macau has been running ads on ATV Home, but the ads close with the name New Century Hotel. Spokesmen for Asia Television insist the ad only promotes the hotel, which, as it happens, hosts the casino whose name is mentioned repeatedly. zach.coleman@singtaonewscorp.com