SJM Holdings to maintain Suncity contract

SJM Holdings CEO Ambrose So assured the company won’t suspend its contract with Suncity, despite allegations of illegal online gaming against them.

Macau.- Junket operator Suncity Group was accused of conducting illegal gaming operations and targeting Chinese nationals. However, it seems that it hasn’t impacted its operations.

Partner SJM Holdings won’t suspend its contract with the company, as stated by CEO Ambrose So. As quoted by TDM-News, he doesn’t expect it to have an effect on the company’s relationship with the operator. Its partner currently has one VIP room at one of its casinos.

“They operate one of our VIP lounges in a satellite casino. It is a service contract. Under the service contract, [it] is stipulated that, along with other standards, they must obey the laws of Macau. If you break that, we can end the deal.”

“It was a very timely move by the DICJ to draw the attention of all operators, saying that if they want to operate in Macao with their junket licenses, they have to abide by the laws of Macau. The DICJ made it very clear that they cannot break the law and make Macao a base to promote or make online services available to other casinos elsewhere,” he said. 

The accusations

Suncity Group was accused of offering illegal online gambling and proxy betting to Chinese nationals and triggered local regulators. That’s why the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) issued a warning on Macau operators about online gambling. 

The regulatory body issued a warning to gaming concessionaires and urge them to adhere to local and foreign laws on gambling. 

Even as Suncity denied the allegations, saying it doesn’t operate any online gambling activities, the DICJ decided to warn them. Director Paulo Martins Chan reminded that the government doesn’t allow any promotion of online gambling and placing bets via telephone.