{"id":181085,"date":"2021-07-27T19:44:13","date_gmt":"2021-07-28T02:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=181085"},"modified":"2021-07-28T14:00:43","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T21:00:43","slug":"laos-casino-mogul-zhao-weis-business-empire-expands-denies-criminal-allegations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/laos-casino-mogul-zhao-weis-business-empire-expands-denies-criminal-allegations\/","title":{"rendered":"Laos Casino Mogul Zhao Wei Expands Business Empire, Denies Crime Tag"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zhao Wei has repeatedly disputed US government allegations of wrongdoing regarding his ambitious economic and casino activities in Laos. He plans even more.<\/p>\n

\"Zhao
Kings Romans Casino owner and businessman Zhao Wei, pictured here. He rejects allegations of criminal involvement and has massive development plans for Laos. (Image: South China Morning Post<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The controversial Chinese gaming mogul and businessman sees himself as a legitimate developer. He operates Kings Romans Casino<\/a> in Laos\u2019s Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone [SEZ] in Bokeo province. A business empire associated with the casino has resumed construction on an airport in an effort to boost tourism. It is scheduled to open next year.<\/p>\n

\n

Zhao wants to build a gaming property, resort, and airfield in northwestern Laos. It is near the border with Thailand and Myanmar. Zhao is also looking to develop properties in Northeastern Laos. It is known as the location of the prehistoric Plain of Jars, which is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

He also wants to invest in Southern Laos, including the building of an airport. That is close to the border with Vietnam.<\/p>\n

Previously, Zhao ran a casino in Mong La, Myanmar, also located in the Golden Triangle. He also operated a casino in China\u2019s Macau region.<\/p>\n

Development Envisioned<\/h2>\n

“Geopolitically, he [Zhao] represents the informal head of a semi-formal, strategically located base for China, where Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand come together: the Golden Triangle,\u201d Paul Chambers, a lecturer in Southeast Asian Studies at Thailand\u2019s Naresuan University, told the Washington Times<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are increasing numbers of powerful Chinese businessmen ensconced in Laos who have loose relations with Beijing. Some have become crime bosses in the region,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Zhao Wei\u2019s longer-term vision imagines the SEZ as a valley of shiny futuristic towers, artificial lakes, sports stadiums, industrial parks, and a pharmaceutical research center,\u201d<\/strong> the Lowy Institute in Australia reported in June, The Times<\/em> said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

China has extensive control over the area and already has invested heavily there.<\/p>\n

For instance, China is funding a $6 billion high-speed railway stretching over 260 miles. When operational next year, it will provide train service from Southern China at the Laotian border, through Northern Laos, and to Vientiane on the Mekong River.<\/p>\n

In addition, Zhao last year began construction on a $50 million port at Laos\u2019 Ban Mom village. It is near China\u2019s Yunnan province. The project will include buildings for cargo, an office complex, and a hotel.<\/p>\n

Threat To US<\/h2>\n

But in 2018, Zhao Wei\u2019s activities were labeled by the US government as a \u201ctransnational criminal organization\u201d [TCO] which was \u201ca threat to the United States,\u201d Sigal Mandelker, former Undersecretary of Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, was quoted by The Times<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Zhao Wei crime network engages in an array of horrendous illicit activities,\u201d Mandelker said in 2018.<\/p>\n

Operating largely through the Kings Romans Casino, the Zhao Wei TCO facilitates the storage and distribution of heroin, methamphetamine, and other narcotics for illicit networks,\u201d<\/strong> the Treasury Department claimed.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Treasury Department has alleged Zhao engaged \u201cin drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, bribery, and wildlife trafficking.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Zhao responded<\/a> that the casino-resort and other operations are \u201clegal, ordinary business operations.” They are “supervised by the legal authorities of the relevant countries, that have not harmed the interests of any country or individual.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Zhao Wei has repeatedly disputed US government allegations of wrongdoing regarding his ambitious economic and casino activities in Laos. He plans even more. The controversial Chinese gaming mogul and businessman sees himself as a legitimate developer. He operates Kings Romans Casino in Laos\u2019s Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone [SEZ] in Bokeo province. A business empire […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":181088,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[69069],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLaos Casino Mogul Zhao Wei Business Empire Expands<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Zhao Wei has repeatedly disputed criminal allegations regarding his ambitious economic and casino activities in Laos. 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