Gaming tycoon Jack Lam flees Philippines, has casinos shut down amid sabotage and bribery allegations
Following arrest of more than 1,300 of his staff, Asia gaming industry heavyweight becomes high-profile target of President Duterte’s crackdown
Duterte earlier this month ordered the arrest of Jack Lam Yin-lok – chairman of Hong Kong stock exchange-listed Jimei International Entertainment Group – if he attempted to enter the Philippines, where he faces allegations of economic sabotage and high-level bribery.
The dramatic and unusual presidential order – understood to have been issued after Lam left the country on November 29 for an unknown destination – only applies to the Philippines and has not triggered an international manhunt.
It followed the arrest late last month of more than 1,300 Chinese nationals at Lam’s Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark, the former United States air force base on Luzon Island.
Those arrested are accused of working illegally for an online gaming operation run by the Macau-based Lam, who is a Hong Kong resident.