MACAU’S second-largest junket group head has been arrested, as authorities tighten the leash on the gambling hub’s multi-billion-dollar industry.

The Chinese territory has seen increased scrutiny from the mainland, with a crackdown stepped up and regulations tightened for the gaming sector.

The latest move came yesterday, when police arrested and detained key Macau player Chan Wen-ling.

Chan is the founder of Tak Chun Group, the second-largest junket operator in the city – serving as go-betweens to bring high rollers from the mainland to the glittering casinos in Macau.

He is also chairman of Macau Legend Development, which runs hotels and casinos and confirmed his detention.

Shares in Hong Kong-listed Macau Legend dropped by 19% at the close today.

Chan’s arrest comes months after his rival Alvin Chau, who led Macau’s largest junket operator Suncity, was detained by police in November.

Macau prosecutors accused Chau and 10 other senior executives of setting up an illegal online betting platform in the Philippines and soliciting mainland Chinese customers.

Police at a news conference yesterday said Chan’s arrest is related to the operation in November.

“Although the two operations are targeting two separate groups, we have sufficient proof to show that they are in collaboration.”

The former Portuguese colony is the only territory in China where gambling is permitted, and the vast majority of punters are mainlanders – brought in by junket operators like Suncity and Tak Chun.

But Chinese President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign has seen increased scrutiny of the high rollers and officials who may travel to place bets and launder money in Macau.

Earlier this month, the Macau government unveiled new regulations that will slash the concession period – from 20 years to 10 years – for six operating casino giants. It also sought to increase local ownership and government supervision of casino firms. – AFP, January 31, 2022.