Taipei, October 27, 2026. The Taiwan High Court upheld a ruling ordering a Taiwanese gambler to pay HK$320.47 million (US$40.9 million) to Melco Resorts & Entertainment, the casino operator chaired by Lawrence Ho Yau Lung, over a gambling debt incurred in Macau in 2020. The ruling imposes annual default interest of 29.25% and remains subject to appeal.
The defendant, identified as Ku, had been a VVIP customer since 2018. In September 2019, he obtained a HK$100 million credit line, subsequently increased to HK$300 million. According to Melco, on May 17, 2020, he received non-negotiable gaming chips worth HK$300 million and lost the amount wagered. The company allowed him to postpone signing the receipt because of his payment history and his belief that signing it would bring bad luck.
Lio Chi Chong
After deducting HK$10.43 million in commissions and rebates, the outstanding principal reached HK$289.57 million. By April 9, 2021, principal and accrued interest totaled HK$320.47 million, with additional interest accruing from April 10. Ku challenged the authenticity of documents and surveillance footage, while arguing that providing gaming chips did not constitute a monetary loan.
The court, whose judicial panel reportedly included judges Zhou Meiyun, Wu Peiling, and Wang Xiaojun, examined witness testimony, surveillance recordings, and immigration records before confirming the transaction. The judges determined that the credit was lawful under Macau legislation, where Melco operates City of Dreams, Studio City, and Altira, although none of these properties was specifically identified in the litigation.
Gaming credit was regulated at the time under Law No. 5/2004, subsequently replaced by Law No. 7/2024. The sector is currently supervised by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), within the economic administration headed by Lio Chi Chong. The dispute passed through courts in Macau and Shilin before reaching the Taiwan High Court. Melco may continue pursuing payment, subject to potential appeals and enforcement proceedings.
