Industry
January 4, 2023
Number of Licensed Junkets in Macau Continues to Decline
The crackdown on junkets amid alleged ties with criminal organizations started late in 2021. Back then, Alvin Chau, who used to be the CEO of the popular junket Suncity Group was arrested. Then, early last year, Tak Chun Group’s CEO was also apprehended over alleged ties to criminal organizations and illegal gambling. Number of Licensed […]
Industry
November 1, 2022
No Irregularities around Suncity Were Found, DICJ Head Testified
Macau’s Court of First Instance dealing with the case against former Suncity boss Alvin Chau and 20 other defendants heard Monday that the city gaming regulator had found no irregularities during its past checks of the finances of the junket operator. Cross-Checking with Concessionaires Chau and the others were indicted with illegal gambling activities, running […]
Casino
September 19, 2022
Chau Knew of Multiplier Bet Schemes but Did not Participate
The first day of the trial against Alvin Chau at Macau’s Court of First Instance saw the former boss and founder of the Suncity Group deny any allegations of participating in multiplier bet schemes at casinos in Macau. Iceberg-Type Scheme to Hide GGR, Avoid Tax The trial against Chau and 20 other people was initially […]
Casino
July 13, 2022
PAGCOR’s New Guidelines on Junkets Call for Enhanced Due Diligence
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation or PAGCOR is toughening up its stance on the way junket operators can run their business and associate themselves with gambling businesses in the country. A new set of guidelines published on Monday sheds light on the do’s and don’ts of what land-based businesses may do when seeking to […]
Industry
April 21, 2022
Macau Legislative Assembly Voted in Favor of New Junket Bill
Macau’s new junket regulation law passed its first reading at the Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China’s Legislative Assembly (LA) with an overwhelming majority, Inside Asian Gaming reported. Tighter Regulation and Penalties for Junkets The bill titled “Legal Framework for Operating Games of Chance in Casinos” is aimed at further strengthening regulation for casino junket […]
Business
March 30, 2022
Suncity Group 2021 Report Casts Doubts on Company’s Future
Suncity Group, the junket operator at the core of money laundering issues for Australian casino operators Crown and Star, released its full year 2021 financial results, stating that the business can continue operating in the next 12 months on a going concern basis. Material Uncertainties on Ability to Continue as a Going Concern The group […]
Casino
February 22, 2022
IAG Interviews Kwok Chi Chung on Future Macau Junket Changes
As junket operators are increasingly under pressure in Macau, Inside Asia Gaming (IAG) spoke with Kwok Chi Chung, the president of the Macau Association of Gaming and Entertainment Promoters, to discuss the fresh challenges the industry faces. This followed a meeting between the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) and junket operators’ representatives. Kwok remained optimistic about a […]
Business
January 31, 2022
Second High-Profile Junket Operator Arrested in Macau
Levo Chan Weng Line, the boss of Macau casino junket operator Tak Chun, was detained in Macau on Friday, according to the Judiciary Police. After Suncity Group, Tak Chun was one of the largest junket operators in the city. More Macau Junkets Fall A 49-year-old suspect identified as Chan by Macau authorities was taken into […]
Industry
January 26, 2022
Number of Junkets Active in Macau Cut in Half Since January 2021
Over the past year, the total number of Macau licensed gaming junkets has declined by 45.9%. According to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ, for its Portuguese acronym), this is the ninth consecutive year that the number of licensed junkets has declined in Macau. More exits are likely leading up to the implementation of […]
Industry
January 3, 2022
Rich Goldman Announced Solaire Profit Sharing Agreement Void
Rich Goldman Holdings, a company involved in junket operations as part of its leisure and entertainment business, announced in a filing to the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) that the profit share agreement with a venture partner related to junket business at Solaire Resort & Casino in Manila had been terminated. Agreement Terminated Rich […]
