Macau’s final appeals court rejected Alvin Chow, the former CEO of SunCity Group,’s appeal to serve 18 years in prison, asking for his sentence to be reduced. This comes at the end of a closely watched case that has had a significant impact on Macau’s casino industry. 동행복권파워볼
Macau court dismisses appeal of eight defendants, including Chow
The court upheld the first ruling handed down in January last year, which found Chow guilty of criminal links, illegal gambling and money laundering during an on-camera hearing on July 3, the Macau Daily Times reported. Eight other defendants involved in the same case also rejected their appeals, maintaining sentences ranging from nine to 12 and a half years.
Chau was convicted of making illegal gains through money laundering and illegal gambling activities. The court ruled that he and his colleagues took HK$24.87 billion (US$3.18 billion) from these activities, which should be returned as unfair gains to the Macau government.
His legal story began in November 2021 when he was arrested by Macau authorities on charges of leading a criminal gang and engaging in illegal gambling operations. After months of trial in the first trial court, Chow was found guilty on 103 of 229 charges related to gambling. Some were dropped because they had passed the statute of limitations, and another 59 were added on top of that. Chow was acquitted on charges related to money laundering.
Court ruling strengthens will to crack down on junket industry
The final sentence remained unchanged despite several appeals, including a pardon for Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he described as a pivotal figure in transforming Macau into a global tourism hub. A second trial court revoked his fraud conviction but raised the amount that Chow had to pay back.
Prosecutors’ attempts to recover fraud charges against him and face tougher penalties have also failed.
However, this decision solidifies the Macau government’s tough stance on Chau and others involved. It also highlights its crackdown on the junket industry and its illegal gambling operations within the borders of the Macau Special Administrative Region.
Chow’s loss of honor reflects a widespread crackdown on capital flight facilitated through junket operators, as well as money laundering by mainland Chinese authorities. Following his detention, Suncity Group, formerly Asia’s largest junket operator, was exposed to significant risks posed by these activities leading to closures. The incident also prompted sweeping changes across the Macau casino sector, with stricter regulations in place, along with tightening oversight mechanisms.