Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | May 2011 12 ‘Casino’ the autobiographical movie produced byWan Kuok-koi friend. Films often exaggerate things,”Simon Yam said at the film’s premiere. “I spent time with himwhen we were filming and he is like a kid. Everyone in Macau respects him.” Indeed, during his trial Mr Wan claimed to be a bona fide promoter (he organised several Canto-pop concerts); real estate investor; gaming chip trader and high-stakes gambler. Yes, he knew about the 14K, but he was not a member, never mind a leader. No- one bought it. After the sentencing at the Court of First Instance, he flew into a rage and jumped on to a bench, screaming at officials: “You’ve taken dirty money ... This is the worst verdict of the century.” Asked to calm down by police and court officials, Mr Wan glared hard at the officers, put his fingers menacingly like a gun to his own temple and screamed an obscenity. Whether that rage has subsided may be a deciding factor in how he decides to live his life on his release next year. Mr Wan will find a vastly different environment to the one he operated in almost a decade and a half ago, but one with all the temptations he knew and a lot, lot more. It’s up to Macau how he is handled. In Focus