Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Macau Gambling Tycoon Stanley Ho Dies at Age 98

VOA News

   Stanley Ho, the man credited with transforming Macaufrom a sleepy
   former Portuguese colonyinto one ofthe world's gambling meccas, has
   died at the age of 98.

   His daughter,Pansy,saidHodied Tuesdayat a hospitalin his native Hong
   Kong.

   The son of a once-influential and wealthy Hong Kong family who lost
   their fortune in the Great Depression of the 1930s, Stanley Ho
   escapedto MacauduringWorld War Two when Japanese forces captured Hong
   Kong. He built his fortunesmuggling luxury goods from Macau toChina,
   turning that into asuccessfultrading company.

   Ho's gambling empire began when hesuccessfullybid fora casino
   monopolyfrom Portuguese authorities in 1962. He built a harbor to
   ferryhigh-stakes gamblers from HongKong to his casino, and also had
   stakes in numerous businesses in the enclave, including department
   stores,luxuryhotels and horse racing tracks.

   By the timeChinagained control of Macauand opened itto
   foreigncompetitionin 2002,Hohadbecome notoriousnot only for his wealth
   but his flamboyant lifestyle, his love of ballroom dancingand the 17
   children he fathered with four wives. He was forced to restructure his
   business in 2012 afteralegal battlebroke out within the family.

   Ho was also dogged by allegations that he hadties to Chinese criminal
   gangs known as triads, which he denied.

.