Macau's highest court has rejected an appeal by Alvin Chau, the former chief executive of Suncity Group, upholding his 18-year prison sentence. The ruling, announced Wednesday, also rejected appeals by eight other co-defendants.

The original sentences handed down by the Second Instance Court ranged from nine to 18 years for Chau and his associates, including See Tow Chee Howe, Cheung Yat Ping Ellut, Ali Celestino, Cheong Chee Kin, Chau Choon Hee, Loo Seak Fong, Wong Pak Ling Phillip and Leong Soo Wen. The Court of Appeal upheld those sentences despite the defendants' efforts to have their sentences reduced.

Prosecution's appeal dismissed  

In addition to rejecting the defendants' appeals, the court also rejected the prosecution's attempt to seek harsher sentences. Last November, prosecutors sought to reinstate fraud charges against several defendants that had been overturned by an intermediate court.  

Financial implications  

Under the confirmed judgment, Chau and his co-defendants were ordered to collectively pay HK$24.865 billion (€2.9 billion) to the Macau Special Administrative Region. This significant financial penalty underlines the seriousness of their crimes, which included illegal gambling operations and participation in a criminal organization.  

Chau's Failed Pardon Petition  

After his initial conviction in January 2023, Alvin Chau sought to mitigate his sentence through appeal. In December 2023, he even wrote an open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, portraying himself as a key figure in Macau’s transformation from a “small fishing port” to a “global tourism and leisure hub.” However, this plea had no effect on the judiciary.  

Impact on Junket Activities in Macau  

Chau's arrest, along with that of other prominent gambling figures such as Levo Chan, has prompted a major crackdown on junkets in Macau, with the government stepping up regulations in an effort to crack down on illegal activities that have long been associated with the sector.

The High Court’s decision not only upholds Alvin Chau’s lengthy prison sentence, but also sends a clear signal about Macau’s stance on illegal gambling and financial crime. The case marks a critical juncture in the city’s efforts to regulate and reform the gambling industry, ensuring a more transparent and lawful operating environment in the future.

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