Authorities investigating junket fraud case

The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) issued a statement yesterday revealing that several public departments are investigating the Dore Entertainment theft and the claims that residents have not been able to withdraw their investments from the junket group.
DICJ states that it is aware of the petitions made by the “investors” involved and the general opinion of society about the topic. In the statement, DICJ recalls that it is closely cooperating with the investigations of the Judiciary Police (PJ) as well as the Monetary Authority of Macau (AMCM) and the Financial Intelligence Office (GIF) in order to assure the stability and sustainability of the gaming sector as well as guaranteeing the legitimate interests of the citizens.
“Any illicit acts detected, will lead to legal liability according with the law,” DICJ stated, referring also to government’s efforts to promote the healthy development of the gaming industry together with the entire sector stakeholders.
Still, according to DICJ, the Dore case is a reminder that the government should speed up the improvement of the junket sector inspections. DICJ will issue instructions to this business sector and initiate the procedures for an update of the law in order to increase the transparency and regulate the operation of junkets.
Simultaneously, it will promote communication between all parties to gather opinions that can contribute to the development of a more dynamic and competitive sector.
Also yesterday, the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) called upon the gaming regulator to investigate Dore Entertainment’s operations.
IUOE recalled that junket promoters recruit and often provide credit to high rollers, mostly from mainland China, to gamble in exclusive VIP rooms inside Macau casinos. The junkets also have personnel operating inside the casino high roller clubs, as is the case of “Dore Entertainment”, which operates several VIP rooms in the territory, most of them at the Wynn Macau. “We are calling on the Secretariat for Economy and Finance, which ultimately oversees the regulation of Macau’s gambling industry, to investigate Dore Entertainment’s operations,” stated IUOE representative Jeff Fiedler.
Mr Fiedler continued: “In particular, we believe authorities should review any current and historical relationships between Dore Entertainment and a person named Charles Heung Wah Keung.”