Casinos sue gamblers over debts
By K.c. Vijayan
The Straits Times
Monday, Nov 19, 2012
HIGH-ROLLING gamblers are being chased through the courts by Singapore's casinos after racking up huge debts on credit.
Resorts World Sentosa has been battling to reclaim about $19 million, including $4.72 million from one punter alone.
Meanwhile, Marina Bay Sands is believed to be chasing at least $6.6 million in debts owed by patrons, many of whom are Malaysians.
The gambler who ran up the $4.72 million debt is Mr Peter Ong, a Singapore permanent resident from Hong Kong.
Resorts World Sentosa obtained a default judgment in July ordering him to repay the bill, believed to be the highest pursued in court by a Singapore casino to date. This was just one of 11 suits filed by the integrated resort since March.
Another involves a Macau- based debtor, Madam Kuok Sio Kun, who lost up to $2.2 million.
She was given $200,000 of credit in March 2010, according to court papers. Seven months later, the casino granted her another $800,000.
The following day, she requested $500,000 more, followed by another $500,000 two days later. On Oct 18, she obtained $1 million. By that time, she had used $3million in credit.
Even taking into account the commission she had earned on the games and her deposit, she still owed $2.2 million.
Another Macau-based gambler was taken to court after his cheque for the equivalent of $2.34 million bounced. Mr Zhang Kai Xin, 46, settled only about $80,000 of the bill, according to court papers.
He first obtained a $2 million credit facility in April last year, and two weeks later applied to have it increased to $3 million.
After discounting his deposit and commission, he still owed $2.34 million.
Mr Zhang tried to pay this bill with a cheque made out in Hong Kong dollars, but it bounced. In May, he paid the equivalent of $79,000. About $2.3 million remains unpaid.
A High Court pre-trial conference was held last week for three cases, including Mr Zhang's and Madam Kuok's. Another conference was held at the same court for four cases pursued by Marina Bay Sands, which has filed about 70 suits so far.
While the total owed to the casino has not been tallied, the figure for the last 20 cases could come to $6.6 million. Most of its debts involve sums of up to $100,000, and many of its debtors are Malaysians.
A Resorts World Sentosa spokesman said it has a set of standard procedures on debt collection, which includes sending reminders. It also monitors debt closely and works with patrons on repayments.
"For these patrons, however, we have exhausted all avenues and have no other option but to seek legal action as a last resort."
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