Casino king of macau
Macau casino king ofKing macau of casino
It was announced that the eastern Chinese city of Wenzhou had issued an arrest warrant for SunCity Gaming Promotion Company owner Alvin Chau, which had negative consequences for the entire region.
According to Wenzhou authorities, Alvin Chau has been accused of setting up overseas gambling platforms and conducting illegal online gambling through cross-border gambling operations on behalf of SunCity Gaming Promotion Company. Together with several other employees of the company, Chau was arrested in November 2021.
Macau casino of king
Alvin Chau is a 47-year-old businessman who manages the SunCity Gaming Promotion Company. Alvin is known as Macau’s Casino King as SunCity is the largest junket business in Macau. Chau’s gambling business made a great profit in the region, with SunCity accounting for 25% of the region’s gambling revenue.
For many years, Alvin Chau was organizing junket tours to Macau casinos, the only place in China where gambling is legal. Today Macau is known as the Las Vegas of Asia and is considered one of the largest and richest gambling centers in the world. The gambling business brings more than 70% of Macau’s budget revenues.
King casino macau of
Alvin Chau was arrested at the end of November 2021 on charges of running a gambling business in mainland China – mainland Chinese citizens are prohibited from gambling, except in China’s government lotteries. It has been reported to conduct illegal cross-border and online gambling transactions involving about 80,000 mainland Chinese players. After Mr Chau’s arrest, casino accounts were frozen, and SunСity Company had to stop its activity.
Since 2020, Beijing has strengthened its campaign against cross-border gambling by issuing several government and legal notices and updating the laws. They aim to prohibit mainland Chinese citizens from gambling overseas. That is why the organization of gambling is considered to be a crime.
Casino of king macau
The authorities accused Chau of setting up a network of agents in China to help locals engage in cross-border gambling activities, as well as creating an asset management company on the mainland to conduct cross-border funds transactions.
In November, the Wenzhou authorities issued an arrest warrant for Alvin Chau. The entrepreneur was taken by the police after a two-year investigation. There was an announcement about an illegal gambling syndicate and money laundering. Also, the investigation revealed that Alvin Chau launched online gambling platforms in the Philippines in 2016.
Casino of macau king
Chau started an asset management company in mainland China, he was providing players with cross-border capital exchanges. Alvin Chau had clandestine bank accounts to organize cash services for gamblers.
A tremendous amount of money was involved in this case. In order to make his illegal profits, Chau hired mainland Chinese people as gambling agents. He managed to arrange gambling overseas for Chinese citizens and engage people in cross-border online gambling through high credits.
Of casino macau king
The police announced that the gambling syndicate has 199 shareholders, over 12,000 agents who were promoting gambling activities, and more than 80,000 gamblers in mainland China. Therefore, Chau started a large cross-border gambling criminal activity and engaged other members.
Although an arrest warrant was issued by the Wenzhou Public Security Bureau. The Macau Police that arrested Chau said that this case would be tried under Macau law, despite it being a little bit different from that of mainland China.
Of macau casino king
The arrest of Alvin Chau had a great impact on the Macau economy – today, local authorities intend to strengthen the legislative regulation. These measures will be aimed at enhanced government control over casinos. The authorities attempted to introduce additional laws for the distribution of profits.
Government announcements on the gambling industry have made serious changes. Investors become anxious with the news of the upcoming changes in the gaming industry. Moreover, they worry about further regulations of Chinese tech companies as well. After that, entrepreneurs began to massively sell their casino shares as well as securities of large Chinese tech companies.
King casino macau of
Some years ago the situation in the gambling business in Macau has deteriorated somewhat due to the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions. However, even so, the industry managed to make a profit. Now, after the admission of Chau in illegal activities, businesses have suffered incredible losses. Macau casino stocks plummeted, resulting in heavy losses. So SunCity Company shares fell by almost 48%, while other gambling businesses lost up to 10%.
The Chinese government has long argued that capital flight from China jeopardizes the national economy. Particular attention has been paid to corruption, as it is believed that the junket industry creates circumstances to circumvent China’s capital controls through shadow banking and using cryptocurrencies.
Casino king macau of
Today the central government is planning to improve legislative regulation, which will entail some restrictions. Macau has significant autonomy, therefore it independently regulates the gambling business. In order to run a legal business, a gambling establishment must obtain a special license from the authorities. The license can be obtained by companies to which the state has enabled a concession. However, it is assumed that the authorities may not renew the concessions for some companies.
The two tower Landmark Hotel opened up fourteen years ago in 1997, which is a lifetime in Macau. Its casino, Pharoah's Palace, is no spring chicken either, having began operation in 2003. The gaming industry in general doesn't treat older venues very well and in this case neither Landmark nor Pharoah's Palace have escaped its wrath. They're pretty far down the list now when one thinks of premium Macau properties.
King casino macau of
Proceeding into Macau's downtown from the Ferry Terminal, Pharoah's Palace signals the beginning of the western part of the Amizade strip. The President is its closest neighbour on the right while Starworld is just across the street.
Phoaroah's Palace has an excellent range of games given its size. I think it's a good example of what more Macau gaming houses should be. It's fine to have most of the tables be Baccarat, but at least offer a nice selection of games on the other tables. In too many Macau places it's Baccarat or bust, which gets very boring after awhile.
King macau of casino
A lot smaller than I expected, the gaming at Pharoah's Palace is limited to a single, albeit fairly large room, located on the third floor. The casino resembles the inside of a pyramid, with the main point of attraction being the large statue of a Phaoroah King and Queen facing the entrance doors. Sitting nobly the royal pair tower above the casino floor, keeping watch over their kingdom of loyal gamers, looking slightly bemused at the sight of it all. Elsewhere the walls are brown and bricked, made to look intentionally old while five or six huge beams rise from the floor to the ceiling, apparently acting as the room's main supports. Colorful murals of Egyptians and their sacred animals adorn the walls as do rows of hieroglyphics. I think I saw some that said, "Our mathmeticians had it worked out years ago man, always bet the dealer in Baccarat! Or you'll be deader than Tut!"
The casino has a roomy relaxed feel to it, with 65 tables neatly grouped according to game and adequately spaced. Minimums are uniformly low with no tables on the main floor exceeding $500 and many at $100. There's a slot section on the right hand side composed of 54 slot machines with limits ranging from 2¢ to $1. Another slot area to the left of the Phaorah King and Queen is currently closed for renovations so I couldn't get their numbers.
Macau casino of king
The Premium Club is the Pharoah Palace's high limit quarter with five $1,000 tables and one table at $2,000. The elevated roped off area under the Pharoah King and Queen is another haven for high rollers with three $1,000 tables.
A non smoking section of six Baccarat tables can be found beside the slot section. Minimums for these tables are all $100.
Casino king macau of
In and around Pharoah's Palace are two VIP Baccarat clubs and one Orbit slot machine lounge. I don't think they're affiliated with Pharoah's Palace but I'll include their information anyway.
Mingjun — seven-table VIP lounge. Inside is done up similarly to Pharoah's Palace. Tables go from $1000-$3000.
Macau casino king of
Club Elegance — nine-table VIP lounge. Minimums of $1,000/$2,000/$5,000/$10,000. Also has a bar and a small three-table net lounge. Inside is better looking than Mingjun's.
Orbit Slot Lounge — About 160 slots with machines ranging from 5¢ to $5. Electronic Roulette, Sic Bo and Baccarat are available for $5, $10, and $30. Also has a interesting looking large screen animated horse race game called Royal Grand Prix Derby.
King casino of macau
Unless otherwise stated, normal Macau rules and payouts apply to all games.
Player Card — The Pharoah's Palace player card is a glorified shopping card only good for 10% discounts in Macau restaurants and shops. There's no way to accumulate points on it through gaming, nor is it related to casino promotions in any way. It's still important to have however because you can't get into the casino without it.
Macau casino king of
VIP Card — Staff told me there is a Pharoah's Palace VIP card but one has to gamble for two hours first at $5,000 per hand to be eligible for it. Getting information about what happens after you have the VIP card was like pulling teeth. I do know that card holders are eligible for free rooms at the Landmark as well as food vouchers and massage coupons. But I don't know how much they have to bet, or for how long, to score those comps.
Landmark is a large two tower hotel complex with guest rooms in both wings found between floors 7 and 22. Floors 19 to 22 in the West Wing are classified as Noble Club Floors. Guests staying there enjoy priority check in as well as use of the Noble Club Lounge, which includes complimentary food and drink perks. All told the hotel has 451 rooms and suites.
Casino macau of king
As you can see, it's very affordably priced for being such a large place. Rates fall right in between budget places like the Fortuna and President ($650 Sun-Thu) and more expensive nearby mega properties like the Grand Lisboa and Starworld ($1700+ Sun-Thu).
Landmark's pool is located is the fifth floor Recreation Area. Although not very large, the pool is indoor and heated, so it's open all year round. The deck area is swank and styling, with a good color scheme and smart design. The plants on the side are a nice touch too.
King macau of casino
The Landmark Hotel, with its West and East towers, is a bit of a pain to get around in. Finding these restaurants wasn't easy, as I was constantly going from tower to tower. It didn't help either that some elevators went to some floors while others did not. At least two or three times I could say I was legitimately lost.
Landmark's four restaurants have a good mix of Western and Eastern dining. Prices are pretty standard in the two eateries on Level one, but their two compatriots on the higher floors will have you reaching for your wallet.
Casino of king macau
Varanda — Varanda does Portuguese and Macaunese fare on the western side of Level one. Snack, sandwich and soup dishes are all $50 to $80 while main course meals are over $100. Hours are from 7 am to 1 am.
Royal Orchid Chinese Restaurant — Located in the eastern part of Level one, Royal Orchid Chinese Restaurant serves Shanghai style food. Seafood is expensive but most meat and vegetable dishes settle into the $68 to $78 range. Simply decorated, its menu is huge. Hours from 11 am to 3 pm, and 6 pm to 11 pm.
Of macau king casino
King of Kings Restaurant — King of Kings is right outside the Pharoah's Palace casino on Level 3. Small small place it has a wide variety of different styled cuisine with meals done in Shanghai, Cantonese, Chaozhou, and Western style.
Kiwato Japanese Restaurant, which used to be on the first floor, know operates out of King of Kings, so that's why half the menu is Japanese. Most meals on both menus go from $88 to $128.
King casino macau of
Petrus Restaurant — Serving Cantonese fare, Petrus breaks the bank with set meals going for $638, $688, and $888. Main dishes meanwhile are $100 to $300. Located on the 5th floor.
Landmark Bakery — Located on the ground floor, Landmark Bakery serves sandwiches and sweets at very reasonable prices. Sandwiches are $16 while slices of cake only go for $12. I tried a doughnut for $6 that tasted like it was a day old, but had a better experience with the the $7 strawberry danish, which was fresh and fine.
Macau king of casino
The Landmark doesn't have any free spa amenities. Access to the 5th floor sauna, steam room, hot tub and jacuzzi require payment, even for hotel guests. The only facilities guests may use on the house are the pool and gym.
Landmark's gym is more than acceptable with a good selection of cardio equipment and heavy duty weight machines. The room is also three or four times larger than many other gyms found in Macau hotels. Getting a full workout there won't be a problem.
Casino king macau of
I should note that the Recreation Area also includes a putting green and a children's arcade, but neither are free. The putting green, which is way too flat, is $23 for 30 minutes while arcade games start at $2 per play. A Golf Simulator machine was broken and unavailable for use at the time of my visit.
For being called the Vegas of the East, entertainment in Macau is sorely lacking, and the Landmark is no exception. There's not a single venue anywhere in the building that has a stage, and we're talking about a 451 room hotel here.
Of casino king macau
The Cave — Located in the basement, you can access The Cave through Landmark's lobby. Dark, cool and damp the bar is decorated just as its name suggests, like the inside of a cave. Beers start from $38 while cocktails are a little bit more expensive, going for $45 to $65. A fast food snack menu has about 15 different things with most priced between $58 and $64. Cuban cigars are also available for $178 to $328. Open from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.
Poolside Bar — Situated on the fifth floor, Poolside Bar is a bit of a misnomer. The only alcoholic thing on the menu is a Pinocoloda, going for $52. Other drinks offered are tea, coffee, and juice. If you're hungry, fast food bar fare like wings and fries is available for around $50. Also serves desserts like cake and ice cream. Business hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m..
King casino macau of
Landmark has quite a large shopping arcade with luxury stores found on three floors in all. Patek Phillippe, Hugo Boss, Rado, Omega, Piaget, Franck Muller, and more peddle their high end watches, bags, shoes and clothes. I went into Hugo Boss and was blown away by the price of a simple sweater and jacket combo, with the price tag a whopping 20,000 patacas. Without the Hugo Boss label, I wonder if they could even get 2,000 for it?
Despite its age Landmark is clearly one of the better deals in town. Its shopping selection and restaurant choices are both excellent, while the pool and gym facilities outshine many found in more expensive hotels. (Think Starworld, Grand Emperor or L'Arc) The only point of criticism is in the lack of free spa facilities, but for $1,200 a night Sunday to Thursday, you can't really complain too much.
King macau of casino
Pharoah's Palace is a good little casino that's perfect for low limit gamers who don't play that often. There's good variety in the games while the blackjack rules are the best in Macau. More serious players or high junket rollers should look elsewhere though, because Pharoah's Palace is doing next to nothing in terms of comps or with their dead chip program. It's too bad, because if they took care of their players a little better, then they'd probably have more of them. That goes double for staff working the membership information desk. It's like no one told them that gambling is a service industry.
The “King of Gambling” and the “Godfather of Macau,” Stanley Ho, passed away on May 26, 2020, at the age of 98. Ho is credited with transforming the sleepy town of Macau into the most popular gambling destination in the world, ahead of even Las Vegas. At the time of his demise, Stanley Ho was estimated to have been worth $14.9 billion.
Of king casino macau
Ho’s life has been inspirational, as a self-made billionaire, who made the most of whatever life put before him. It was his knack for identifying opportunities that made him the businessman that people all around the world can look up to.
However, he wasn’t just a shrewd deal maker, he was known as the “patriotic entrepreneur” in China. He was known for his philanthropy, making multi-million-dollar donations to educational institutions and even pledging $2.5 million towards a chair in Chinese history, at Oxford’s Pembroke College.
Casino macau king of
When Ho was just a teenager, living in Singapore with his family, his father deserted, plunging them into poverty. During World War II, when Japan invaded Hong Kong, Ho fled to Macau in 1941, where his great uncle, Sir Robert Hotung, was a prominent businessman and the first person of Chinese descent to find residence in the city’s prestigious neighbourhood of Victoria Peak.
Stanley Ho made is first million here, seizing every opportunity to trade whatever goods were required in China, from rice to kerosene. However, it was only when the Portuguese handed Macau back to China, after ruling the region for over 400 years, that opportunity really knocked on Ho’s door. Along with a group of investors, Ho created SJM Holdings Limited, which won the exclusive right in 1962 to operate all of the city’s casinos, right up to 2001.
Of king macau casino
So, over the course of 40 years, Stanley Ho went on to amass great wealth, not just through his casino monopoly, but by diversifying his investments, including investing in Singapore’s real estate market.
In 2002, China opened up Macau’s casino industry to foreign investment. Gaming licenses were awarded to Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM China Holdings, Sands China and Wynn Macau, apart from SJM Holdings.
Of king casino macau
In 2007, SJM built the most iconic structure on the city’s skyline, the Grand Lisboa, a 48-storey building, shaped like a lotus.
With the demise of the “King of Macau,” all eyes are now on his eldest daughter, from his second wife, Pansy Ho, who has been her father’s favoured successor for some years now. She became the chairman of one of the city’s largest conglomerates, SJM Holdings, and co-chair of MGM China Holding Ltd, when Stanley Ho finally decided to retire after a long and eventful career.
Macau of casino king
Now, Macau expects Pansy Ho to consolidate control over the immense network of casinos, operated by SJM and MGM China, while also taking care of the helicopter and ferry routes that link Hong Kong to Macau. The responsibility that has fallen on Pansy’s shoulders is immense, given the huge and complicated family structure, with a sister and brother who are also in line to succeed Stanley Ho, and SJM’s holdings split across three branches of the Ho family.
She also has the unenviable responsibility of rejuvenating SJM’s aging casino franchise, amidst a pandemic that has brought the casino industry’s revenues crashing. When the industry does re-open and tourists are allowed to travel to Macau, the competition in the casino industry is likely to be much fiercer than before. Unfortunately, SJM was already losing market share to more dynamic casino operators for some time now.
Casino king macau of
It is always difficult to fill in large shoes. And, Ho certainly set the bar high, making his billions through sheer hard work and shrewd investments. How will the King’s empire fare after his demise? Only time will tell.
Yes, India does possess the capacity to overtake the USA and that is precisely what will happen - not in some indeterminate future but by the year 2010. How? That is what the book is all about.
Of king macau casino
Rakesh Wadhwa. Ever since, I was a school boy, I knew India was on the wrong path. Socialism was just not what we needed to get ahead. Government controlled our travel; government controlled our ability to buy and sell; and government controlled our freedom to move our money. My life has focused on the inherent rights people have. When I was in college, I never understood, what the governments meant by their “socialistic attitude”. If people are free to buy, sell and move their capital themselves without any restrictions by state, then the welfare of people is inevitable & hence the countries they live in will become wealthy. The government has no right whatsoever, to point a finger at me or my business. I am not a revolutionary. I just want to light up my cigarette and not get nagged about it. I believe in non-interfering attitude to attain more.