Macau’s Biggest Gambling Boss Strikes Back
Alvin Chau, the once‑powerful chair of Macau’s Suncity junket, has just called out a barrage of allegations as his court case kicked off on Monday, Sept 19. He flat‑out denies the charges that span illegal gambling, running a criminal syndicate and money laundering.
Who’s the Man and What’s the Drama?
- Alvin Chau ran the Suncity junket – the go‑to matchmaker for Chinese high‑rollers gambling in Macau – until December 2021.
- He was arrested in December 2020 on a warrant from Wenzhou, China, for allegedly running unlawful gambling operations on the mainland.
- Macau is the only corner of China where casino play is legal – a privilege that fuels this whole saga.
Chau’s Defence
In court, he insisted that no illegal gambling was part of his business and that he never engaged in money laundering. According to the local broadcaster TDM, he even confirmed that his Philippine operations were authorized by the relevant authorities there.
- Junkets act as loan sharks and debt collectors for casino operators, especially when the gamblers are high‑rolling Chinese clients.
- Marketing or tempting mainland Chinese to gamble is a no‑go in China’s legal framework.
- Chau stated firmly that “no one from Suncity Group ever promoted gambling on the mainland.”
Where Suncity Stood in the Circus
Before the pandemic, Suncity was a juggernaut, raking in roughly 25 % of Macau’s casino revenue – a staggering $36 billion in 2019. The industry crash after Chau’s arrest saw the VIP rooms close and many rivals crumble thanks to COVID‑19 restrictions and declining customer trust.
Other Big Names Now in the Gulag
- Levo Chan, the second‑most powerful junket boss who ran Tak Chun, was detained in January on similar accusations of criminal organization, illegal gambling, and money laundering.
- Both men are currently locked up in Macau’s prisons—a far cry from the glittering VIP parlours they once presided over.
As the courtroom drama unfolds, Macau’s sticky‑fingers of gambling global reach keep everyone on their toes. Stay tuned for the next bet in this high‑stakes thriller.
