Paul Phua, a major Asian bookmaker and poker player, has reportedly been flown to Crown Melbourne, where this year’s Aussie Millions Poker Championship is currently taking place. Phua is known to have entered high roller tournaments on the schedule of former editions of the poker festival.
Local media reported that the businessman was flown to Melbourne in a private Crown Casino jet back in January. And according to reports he was flown out of the city two days later.
Born in Malaysia, Phua is known to be the owner of a Philippine sports betting website. Many believe that he is actually a key figure in Asia’s unregulated betting market. According to reports, he has been handling tens of billions of dollars in bets every year. Although he has never been charged with any corruption offense, the businessman was suspected of being involved into a Premier League match fixing case back in 1997.
Most recently, Phua’s name was in the middle of a case related to an illegal sports betting scheme during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. At the time of the major competition, the businessman and his alleged associates were occupying suites at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and were taking illicit bets. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the suites and seized computers, mobile phones, and other related items that indicated possible illegal activities taking place there.
Last year, the case against Phua was thrown out as a US judge ruled that the evidence presented by the FBI could not be used at the trial. The businessman was allowed to leave the States and has been seen around Asia since then.
Commenting on the reports that Phua has been flown to Crown Melbourne, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Paterson told media that the businessman’s involvement in the above-mentioned cases as well as his links to Asia’s unregulated sports betting markets were somewhat concerning. Mr. Paterson further noted that they were really worried about the “sheer volume of money that passes hands” in the area. The official also pointed to Phua’s alleged links to the 14K Triad, known to be one of the largest organized crime groups in Asia.
Neither Crown Resorts, nor Phua himself have commented on his reported stay at the Melbourne-based casino.
