MGM China verifies that entertainer Jacky Heung resolved a gambling financial obligation
In a recent turn of events, Hong Kong actor Jacky Heung has clarified that he did not borrow money from MGM China for personal gambling, contrary to initial media reports and court documents.
The court document, filed in Hong Kong's District Court on July 3, stated that Heung had borrowed HK$2 million (approximately US$255,000) from MGM Grand Paradise, a subsidiary of MGM China, on December 1 last year. However, it did not mention that Heung acted as a third-party credit guarantor for the debt.
MGM China has since clarified that the matter arose from a credit guarantee provided by Heung for a third party, not from a direct personal gambling debt. The company emphasized this point in official statements and to the media, stating that the overdue payments occurred because the third party did not meet their obligations on the debt for which Heung had provided a guarantee.
Heung has since paid back the debt, totaling HK$1.4 million (approximately US$178,000), following which all legal proceedings have been terminated. MGM China has urged media to refrain from further speculation or inaccurate reporting on the matter.
The company expressed concern over the media coverage, stating it had caused unnecessary harm and inconvenience to Heung. MGM China considered the media reports in Hong Kong as potentially misleading, as they suggested Heung had borrowed directly for himself, rather than acting as a guarantor for someone else.
Jacky Heung, the eldest son of the popular former actor, turned film producer, and TV personality, Charles Heung Wah-keung, has been a familiar face in the entertainment industry for more than a dozen supporting roles in iconic martial arts films. In recent years, he has shifted more of his career to mainland China, appearing on several popular variety shows.
Heung married Taiwanese actress and model Bea Hayden (Guo Biting) in 2019 and they share two children. Heung founded Win's Entertainment and China Star Entertainment Group.
MGM China, the operator of MGM Cotai and MGM Macau, confirmed that Heung had paid back the debt. The lawsuit was filed due to Heung acting as a guarantor for a third party's credit, a fact that was not mentioned in the initial court documents.
The company initiated legal procedures to address the unpaid debts, but all related legal procedures have now been resolved following the repayment. MGM China has urged media to refrain from further speculation or inaccurate reporting on the matter.
- Despite initial reports and court documents suggesting otherwise, Jacky Heung did not borrow money for personal gambling from MGM China.
- Despite his involvement in a credit guarantee for a third party, Jacky Heung, a casino personality, has recently been associated with the casino-and-gambling industry due to his appearances in casino games and his ties to companies like Win's Entertainment and China Star Entertainment Group.
- Leaving behind his roots in the martial arts film industry, Jacky Heung has been embracing new opportunities in mainland China, including engaging in gambling trends on popular variety shows and lotteries.
- In an effort to promote responsible gambling, MGM China, an operator of casinos such as MGM Cotai and MGM Macau, has urged the media to be mindful of their reporting, emphasizing the importance of accurate information in shaping casino culture.
