It\u2019s a landmark case because the country\u2019s laws offer no legal recourse for gambling operators to collect debts because gambling contracts are simply not recognized.<\/p>\n
Defendant Paul Poh Yang Hong had perhaps hoped he would be protected by his country\u2019s native laws, but Wynn\u2019s lawyers were able to successfully argue that the money he had lost was not only a gambling debt but also a line of credit that he had failed to honor.<\/p>\n
High rollers in Macau do not generally turn up to casinos with millions in cash — instead, the casinos use a system in which special non-refundable \u201crolling chips\u201d are handed out as credit. Winnings can then be converted into regular chips and cashed out, while \u201cdropped\u201d chips act as a tally of debt, to be settled later.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Poh had lost $5.1 million in rolling chips but had only paid back around $900,000 before Wynn took him to court in 2017. He will now have to repay the full amount, plus interest.<\/p>\n
Wynn\u2019s lawyer Vincent Law told Reuters<\/em> that — provided there was no appeal — the judgment will be the law in Malaysia for \u201cthe foreseeable future,” adding that it was a good sign for the whole gaming industry.<\/p>\nMalaysia has only one casino resort, Resorts World Genting, operated by homegrown casino giant Genting — but it\u2019s huge. Situated at the peak of Mount Ulu Kali in the country\u2019s highlands half an hour\u2019s drive from Kuala Lumpur, it has two casinos, seven hotels, and several theme parks.<\/p>\n
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Dual Justice System<\/strong><\/p>\nGambling regulations are unique in Malaysia in that the country has separate Shariah law for its majority Muslim population, which means only non-Muslims are permitted to gamble.<\/p>\n
While officially a secular state, Islam has been established as a \u201creligion of the federation,\u201d and for the 61 percent that adheres to the faith, Islamic law transcends most aspects of life, with regular audits conducted to ensure compliance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n