[SYDNEY] The Australian government is investigating a report that at least 18 employees from the Melbourne-based Crown Resorts Ltd have been detained by Chinese authorities.

"Consular officials are seeking to confirm these reports with the relevant Chinese authorities," a spokesperson at Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in an e-mailed statement to Bloomberg News.

The Australian Financial Review reported on Saturday that employees, including three Australian citizens and at least one senior executive from James Packer's gaming company, were being questioned.

It was unclear why they had been detained or whether any charges had been laid, the report said.

No-one at Crown was immediately available for comment.

BLOOMBERG