Former Tak Chun Group boss gets reduced sentence and acquittal in Macau’s illegal gambling case

Lea Hogg January 12, 2024

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Former Tak Chun Group boss gets reduced sentence and acquittal in Macau’s illegal gambling case

Levo Chan Weng Lin, the former head of Macau’s now-defunct Tak Chun Group, has had his prison sentence reduced to a total of 13 years by Macau’s Court of Second Instance.

This decision overturns the previous ruling by the Court of First Instance, where Chan had initially been sentenced to 14 years on charges including enabling and operating illegal gaming, criminal association, and other offenses.

Court of Second Instance delivers surprising verdict

Macau’s Court of Second Instance not only reduced Levo Chan’s prison term but also acquitted him of fraud charges. Three additional defendants in the same case experienced reduced sentences, while one had their prison term affirmed, as per the ruling published on Thursday. This unexpected turn of events implies a significant shift in the legal landscape surrounding the case.

The former head of the Tak Chun Group, once considered the second-largest junket in Macau, had faced serious allegations related to his involvement in illegal gambling operations and criminal association. The reduction in his sentence and the acquittal on fraud charges mark a complex twist in the legal proceedings, challenging the initial findings by the Court of First Instance.

Ordered payments following fraud case dismissal

Despite the acquittal on fraud charges, the Court of Second Instance has mandated that Levo Chan and the other defendants pay approximately HK$2.49 billion ($318.9 million) to the Macau government as compensation for profits derived from “illicit gambling” operations. This financial penalty, despite the legal reprieve on certain charges, underscores the court’s stance on the gravity of the alleged illicit activities.

This recent verdict not only has implications for the individuals involved but also raises questions about the regulatory landscape in Macau and its approach to high-stakes gambling operations. As legal complexities unfold, the future repercussions for gaming entities and their leaders in the region remain uncertain. The reduced sentence and financial penalty illustrate the intricate legal nuances shaping the fate of one of Macau’s prominent figures in the gaming industry.

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