Local authorities in Sanya, Hainan province, denied media reports saying that gambling could be legalized in the city, and ordered the casino bar mentioned in the report to suspend operations, China News Service reported.

Reuters reported on Sunday that the Jeters casino bar, located in the Mangrove Tree Resort World on Sanya Bay, was the first casino bar on the Chinese mainland.

A spokesman with the culture and sports bureau of Sanya, who was not identified, denied the report, saying that the government has not authorized any kind of gambling activities.

Meanwhile, police and the city's industrial and commercial bureau are investigating the Mangrove Tree Resort World on Sanya Bay.

The spokesman said the Mangrove Tree Resort World is a tourist and leisure hotel and that the bar has only certificates for singing, dancing and other types of entertainment.