Ji Xiaobo, who formerly headed the Macao-based junket operator Hengsheng Group, has been called the “head of a criminal syndicate” by the Beijing Municipal First Intermediate People’s Court, according to a report by the specialist gaming news outlet Inside Asian Gaming.
In a ruling made on 24 November, the Chinese court stated that Ji, who was also in charge of Saipan’s sole casino concessionaire, Imperial Pacific International Holdings, had engaged in various unlawful acts including illegally operating multiple casinos outside of China and using violence and threats in order to recover gambling debts.
The 45-year-old’s whereabouts are currently unknown, although there is speculation that he is hiding from the authorities in Tokyo.
[See more: The concessionaires are reportedly cutting their Suncity losses]
Ji Xiaobo’s foray into Macao can be traced back to 2011 when his Hengsheng Group ran a single VIP room and 12 tables at Star World Hotel. His business grew swiftly to seven VIP rooms and 86 tables in two short years.
A separate, but related trial saw the conviction of Ji’s 15 associates, including his maternal aunt, Cui Limei, who will serve out a prison term of eight years and six months, and receive a fine totalling 200,000 yuan.
Ji is the latest addition to a list of former Macao-based junket operators who have been charged with criminal conduct. Others include Tak Chun’s former head, Levo Chan, and the “junket king” of Macao, Alvin Chau of the Suncity Group.
