CO-CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SJM Holdings
MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
SJM Resorts
POWER SCORE: 1,186
POSITION LAST YEAR: 11
CLAIMS TO FAME
- Fourth wife of Stanley Ho
- Largest individual shareholder in SJM Holdings
- Serving fifth term on Macau Legislative Assembly
FROM ONE POINT OF VIEW, Angela Leong has had to cede a certain level of control of SJM Holdings to other elements of the greater Ho family. But from another, her star may be rising even higher.
Since the 2020 passing of de facto husband Stanley Ho, Leong has consolidated her financial and commercial influence. As to her political health, it’s difficult to predict who the Chinese government will really stick with, but Leong has been one of Macau’s most visible supporters of Beijing and its “Greater Bay Area” doctrine.
Elected in September to a fifth term in the Legislative Assembly – this time on the indirect candidate list, meaning she had no competitors – Leong is the only lawmaker left who possesses serious gaming industry interests and experience. After respected gaming scholar Davis Fong’s eyebrow-raising ouster from the list of Chief Executive-appointed lawmakers, all eyes and ears will be on Leong when casino concession law amendments come to the Assembly floor – not so much for what ought to change, as for learning what must be swallowed.
Leong’s SJM role and considerable shareholding, her significant interest in satellite casino properties Le Royal Arc and Jai Alai, and her influence over a future casino at her son Arnaldo’s newly-opened Lisboeta precinct opposite Grand Lisboa Palace, mean that she will be doubly impacted by any amendments that hurt SJM or obstruct the grandfathering of satellite operations.
More than ever before, Leong is a weathervane for the Chinese half of Macau’s casino inventory.
For the full list of 2021 Asian Gaming Power 50 winners, click here.
