The Chinese Way – the impact of China’s anti-corruption campaign on trade-based money laundering and Macau casinos

Tweet Money Laundering Bulletin in the UK has a good article out today on the anti-corruption drive in China and its impact on the casinos in Macau, which explores the anti-money laundering lapses and lack of legislation in the gambling industry in Macau, and the corresponding increase of trade-based money laundering in China. Trade-based money laundering […]

The violent methods gambling debts from Macau are collected in Hong Kong

Tweet Law Commission notes violent methods of gambling debt collection According to a Consultation Paper prepared by the Law Reform Commission of Hong Kong, debt collection in Hong Kong is a significant and violent problem, mostly arising from gambling debts incurred locally and in Macau. Loan sharks in Macau and Hong Kong account for 21.4% […]

Two Hong Kong billionaires convicted of money laundering over Macau government procurement case

Tweet Surprising criminal conviction of two Hong Kong tycoons In a surprising decision, the Macau Court of First Instance has convicted two high-profile Hong Kong businessmen of money laundering. Joseph Lau Luen-hung, and Stephen Lo Kit-sing, each received a sentence of five years and three months in prison and were sentenced in absentia.  Mr. Lau […]

Part 2 – Macau casinos with junket operators face regulatory balancing act amid international money laundering concerns

Tweet Increased pressure on Macau’s casinos Macau is facing a delicate balancing act – how to satisfy mounting international demands to crack down on money laundering and other criminal activities in its $38 billion gambling industry, without killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Finding a way of regulating the junket operators, which bring […]

Junket operators in Macau branching out in effort to improve reputation and diversify business but financial crime concerns remain

Tweet Junkets branching out According to this article by Reuters, traditional junket operators (also known as VIP gaming promoters) in Macau are branching out to diversify their businesses and improve their reputation. The largest junket operator, Suncity Group, is planning to open its own casino and has expanded into mining and iron ore operations in […]