Inside Asian Gaming

IAG NOV 2019年11月亞博匯 58 2019 POWER 50 AFTER two years of VIP led recovery, Macau’s high end play has retreated amid slowing mainland China economic growth and Beijing’s increasing scrutiny of overseas capital transfers. But dominant junket promoter Suncity Group and its chairman Alvin Chau, the top ranked Macau native in the city’s biggest industry, have faced more serious challenges. So far, Suncity has not let those challenges define it or deter its goal of becoming a casino operator and resort owner. On 7 July, Chinese state media outlet Economic Information Daily accused Suncity and Chau of steering junket players to online and proxy betting and using underground banking for settlements. Suncity denied the charges, and at a press conference Chau announced that Suncity would comply with Macau law wherever it conducts business, eschewing online and proxy betting even where allowed by local law. Weeks later, Australian media implicated Suncity and Chau in reports linking Crown Resorts to Asian organized crime. Chau and the company denied the allegations, then closed Suncity’s VIP clubs in Australia, citing high costs and low demand, though a Suncity spokesperson says, “We maintain a very close relationship with Crown and The Star [Entertainment Group].” Beyond the controversies, Suncity’s 34% owned integrated resort Hoiana is set to open its US$650 million first phase by early next year. The partnership with majority owner Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and local investment firm VinaCapital will begin with 140 gaming tables and 300 machines, more than 1,000 guest rooms and a golf course. The beachfront site in central Vietnam, close to the Hoi An UNESCO World Heritage area, measures nearly 10 square kilometers (3.9 square miles) and will be developed over a decade or more with estimated spending of US$4 billion. ALVIN CHAU CHAIRMAN Suncity Group CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Suncity Group Holdings CHAIRMAN AND NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Summit Ascent Holdings 周焯華 主席 太陽城集團 主席兼執行董事 太陽城集團控股有限公司 主席兼非執行董事 凱升控股有限公司 CLAIMS TO FAME • Expanding Suncity from junket promoter to casino owner and operator via Hong Kong listed arm • Increasing dominance in Macau junket market • Top Macau native in city’s leading industry 名成事跡 • 擴展太陽城，使公司通過香港上市附屬機構從博彩中介變成娛樂場 擁有及營運者 • 提升在澳門中介市場的霸主地位 • 作為澳門龍頭產業中首屈一指的本地人 6 POWER SCORE 權能指數 : 2,689 POSITION LAST YEAR 去年排名 : 5