High Stakes Gambler from China Resolves Dispute with SkyCity Casino and Associated Junkets Regarding disappeared $4,840,000 sum.
Updated Article:
May 9, 2025, 08:08h
Last updated on: May 9, 2025, 08:08h
Article Title: High Roller Settles with Casino after Alleged Junket Fraud
Author: Phil Conneller (CasinoOrg) @casinoorgphilc
Categories: Gaming Business, Regulation, Tribal Gaming
A Chinese high roller who took legal action against Australia's SkyCity Adelaide and two junket operators over the mishandling of around A$4.84 million (US$3.1 million) in casino winnings, has settled out of court.
Multimillionaire Linong Ma, originally from Hong Kong and Shanxi province, China, initiated the lawsuit in 2021 against the casino and junket operators Xiongming Xie and Zhuangqian Fang after a gambling junket arranged by Fang in May 2019.
The lawsuit claimed that Xie, who was running the junket using Fang's license, has ties to organized crime, and was banned from all Australian casinos.
Organized Crime Connections
According to previous press reports, Xie was previously a deputy of the junket operator and organized crime figure, Tom Zhou. Australian authorities have implicated Zhou in money laundering, foreign influence operations, extortion, and human trafficking[1].
Xie faced criminal charges in Australia in 2019 for allegedly attacking a man with a knife while demanding the transfer of a A$10 million (US$7.75 million) property[2]. The alleged victim was said to have been nearly killed during the incident.
Gambling Mishap Leads to Litigation
During Ma's visit to SkyCity, accompanied by junket VIP hostess, "Ms. Goh," he initially withdrew A$400K (US$257K) in rolling chips, which he subsequently lost A$370K (US$238K) on baccarat.
The next day, Ma reloaded with another A$600K (US$385K) worth of chips and went on a winning streak, amassing additional winnings of over A$5 million (US$3.2 million). When he requested to cash out his chips, he was informed the transaction could not be finalized until the following Monday[3].
As Ma had to return to Hong Kong for his son's graduation, SkyCity employees stored the chips in a safety deposit box, assuring Ma he was the only one with access. However, on May 29, someone at SkyCity transferred the chips to Xie, who returned only A$1.46 million to Ma[3].
The businessman took SkyCity to court, alleging negligence and breach of trust, and Xie and Fang for fraud in relation to the missing millions.
Case Settled Out of Court
SkyCity and Xie recently settled their disputes confidentially[4], while South Australia's Supreme Court awarded a summary judgment against Fang, who didn't participate in mediation.
This high-stakes case illustrates the complexities and inherent risks associated with high-stakes gaming and the use of junket operators. Although the details of the settlement remain confidential, the outcome provides a reminder of the importance of transparency and trust in the gambling industry.
[1] - Money Laundering Watchdog Latest to Warn of Dramatic Rise in High-Roller Gambling
[2] - High Roller's A$10m Casino Chip Gamble Drives Man to Knife Point
[3] - Linong Ma Sues SkyCity over Casino's Alleged Misconduct
[4] - High Roller's A$4.8m Casino Case Settles Out of Court
[5] - Casino Mishap Leaves High Roller's Millions Unaccounted For
- Xiongming Xie, a former deputy of the junket operator and alleged organized crime figure Tom Zhou, was involved in the casino junket lawsuit filed by Chinese high roller Linong Ma against SkyCity Adelaide and two junket operators.
- The lawsuit claimed that Xie, who was running the junket using Zhuangqian Fang's license, was banned from all Australian casinos due to ties to organized crime.
- During Ma's visit to SkyCity Adelaide, he lost A$370K on baccarat after initially withdrawing A$400K in rolling chips, but later had a winning streak amassing over A$5 million.
- However, when he requested to cash out his chips, he was informed the transaction could not be finalized until the following Monday, and when he returned, only A$1.46 million was returned to him.
- Ma took SkyCity and Xie to court, alleging negligence and breach of trust, and Xie and Fang for fraud in relation to the missing millions.
- SkyCity and Xie recently settled their disputes confidentially, while South Australia's Supreme Court awarded a summary judgment against Fang, who didn't participate in mediation. The casino junket lawsuit highlights the inherent risks associated with high-stakes gaming and the use of junket operators, emphasizing the importance of transparency and trust in the gambling industry.
