IAG has learned that Suncity Group, the historically largest VIP promoter in Macau and throughout the world, intends to close all of its VIP clubs in Macau with the exception of its clubs at Galaxy Macau and StarWorld, effective midnight tonight. In response to a query by IAG this evening, a Suncity spokesman confirmed the news. This means from midnight Suncity will operate VIP rooms at only one of Macau’s six casino gaming concessionaires, Galaxy Entertainment Group.
For many years Suncity has operated VIP clubs at all six of Macau’s casino gaming concessionaires, at one point in 2019 operating 17 such clubs throughout Macau. The reduction to just two clubs follows the news early today that Hong Kong-listed Suncity Group Holdings Alvin Chau will stand down as CEO and director, following his arrest and imprisonment awaiting trial by Macau authorities.
Chau’s Saturday arrest in Macau itself came a day after China’s Wenzhou Public Security Bureau issued an arrest warrant of its own for the Suncity boss, accusing him of “opening casinos in China” via the operation of cross-border gambling operations on behalf of Suncity Gaming Promotion Company Limited (SCGPCL).
There is no word yet of the fate of Suncity VIP clubs in other jurisdictions throughout Asia.
[Update at 23:00 Macau time: IAG has just learned that Suncity’s VIP clubs at Galaxy Macau and StarWorld will now also close at midnight]