Macau's Former Casino Kingpin Alvin Chau's 18-Year Sentence Upheld

Alvin Chau, the former CEO of Suncity Group, has had his 18-year prison sentence upheld by Macau's appeals court. Chau was convicted in January 2023 on charges of fraud, running a criminal syndicate, and operating illegal bets. The Court of Second Instance in Macau upheld Chau's sentence, despite rumors that he might win back his freedom.

Chau and Suncity must pay HK$8.2 billion (US$1.1 billion) in compensation to the Macau government for swindling tax revenue through illicit 'under-the-table' bets offered to VIP clients at Macau casinos between 2013 and 2021. The appeals court tripled the compensation amount after discovering the extent of the fraud.

Additionally, Chau and seven co-defendants had their conviction and sentences upheld for the charge of involvement in a triad gang. The court also upheld the freezing of Alvin Chau's bank accounts, real estate holdings, a company known as Sawalana Limited registered in London, and other assets listed in the MP reports.