Posted on: October 23, 2023, 10:23h.
Last updated on: October 23, 2023, 10:23h.
Former Macau gambling kingpin Alvin Chau has had his fraud conviction overturned by the appeals court, but his 18-year sentence for illegal gambling and criminal association remains intact. Chau, once the powerful boss of Suncity, failed to secure a reduction in his prison term. Read more about his fall from grace and the implications for Macau’s gambling industry.
The court also ordered Chau and Suncity to pay triple the compensation to the Macau government. Discover the full details of the criminal charges and the massive amount of money involved in this high-profile case.
Fall of a Junket Magnate
Alvin Chau, formerly a key figure in Macau’s gambling industry, faced a dramatic downfall when he was arrested in late 2021. Suncity, the largest junket operator in the market, was responsible for a significant portion of VIP revenue in Macau. Learn more about Chau’s prominence and how his conviction impacted the industry.
In January, Chau and 20 other Suncity defendants were convicted of numerous charges, including fraud, illegal gambling, and criminal association. Dive into the details of these convictions and the activities that led to their downfall.
Suncity’s illegal activities involved offering under-the-table bets to VIP clients between 2013 and 2021. These bets allowed clients to multiply stakes on official bets placed at Macau casinos, resulting in significant tax evasion.
The court calculated that Chau and Suncity evaded HK$8.2 billion (US$1.1 billion) in tax revenue, causing substantial financial harm to the Macau government. Additionally, Suncity was accused of operating illicit online gambling platforms that targeted players in Macau and mainland China.
In February, Chau appealed his sentence while the Macau Office of the Prosecutor General sought to increase his prison term by 3.5 years. Get the latest updates on the legal proceedings and the court’s final decision.
‘Criminal Enterprise’
In a recent ruling, the Court of Second Instance acquitted Chau and six others of fraud charges against the Macau government but maintained their guilty verdict for criminal association. Discover the specifics of the charges and how they relate to illegal gambling activities.
The court also determined that Suncity, described as a “criminal enterprise,” generated US$2.25 billion from under-the-table betting and nearly US$1 billion from illegal online wagering. As a result, Chau and his co-defendants are now required to pay a staggering US$3.2 billion to the Macau government.
While Chau’s prison term remains unchanged, four of his co-defendants received reduced sentences. Gain insights into the overall impact of the case on Macau’s gambling sector and the subsequent regulatory reforms.
The arrest and conviction of Chau, as well as Tak Chun boss Levo Chan, prompted Macau to introduce new laws to reform and restrict the junket industry. Explored the resulting changes and their implications for the future of Macau’s gaming scene.
According to the Macau Professional Association of Gaming Promoters, the number of licensed junket operators has significantly declined. From over 40 operators in 2014, there are now only 14 licensed junkets in operation today. Find out how the industry landscape has transformed in recent years.