Chinese online payment platform Alipay is reportedly set to block transactions in North Korea after it was revealed that the service was being offered at a casino in Pyongyang.
According to local news outlet NK News, both Alipay and UnionPay are advertised as being available inside Pyongyang Casino at the Yanggakdo Hotel despite both companies insisting they have no such arrangement in place.
A representative of a tour group told NK News that the platforms were offered “for high-rollers to gain access to money while gambling.”
Responding to questions about the service, Alipay said this week that it “doesn’t have any commercial relationship with the casino in Pyongyang and strict measures have been in place to ensure transactions in the area will be blocked.”
UnionPay said it had “absolutely no” connection to the casino.