To combat prostitution, gambling, and drug use, more than 80,000 staff members in Beijing’s entertainment sector, are alloted integrated circuit (IC) cards to put them under the real-name registration system, said a China Daily report quoting police regulations in the capital city.

The new regulations will not permit people without IC card to work in the entertainment industry, besides entertainment venues will undergo suspension for one to three months if they hire those people, the report said.

Karaoke Television (KTV) clubs, nightclubs, and electronic amusement game parlors are considered as entertainment venues, according to the report.

People who received these cards included managers, headwaiters, security guards and waiters from the city's entertainment venues.

Basic information such as name, age, birthplace and any criminal record are incorporated in the IC card.

"The IC card shows if its holder has a criminal record, especially involving pornography. Those with criminal records are prohibited from working in the entertainment industry," the report said quoting Qian Jin, deputy chief of security corps at the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

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While coming to work and leaving the entertainment venues, employees have to swipe their IC cards, he said.

"Through their wearing the cards, we can get a timely grasp of their tracks, which will also help prevent any harm coming to them and protect their legal rights," he said.

Starting from April 14, Beijing police have launched a special crackdown on prostitution, gambling and drugs.

After the introduction of real-name registration system, the authorities have been asked to reduce the crimes involving pornography and gambling by 61 percent in July compared with same year last year, said the report.

Out of investigated 2,635 entertainment venues, 42 got suspended and 1,417 employees possessed criminal records.

Experts feel that the new regulations will go a long way in regulating the entertainment industry and will help root out pornography. Further, it is expected to protect the labor rights of those who have criminal records.

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