Stanley Ho Denies Crime Ties

Stanley Ho, Macau's "King of Gambling", denied last Thursday any ties to Chinese organized crime gangs, news agencies have reported.

A spokeswoman for 88-year-old Ho issued the denial on his behalf the day after gambling regulators in the US state of New Jersey released a report that accused Ho of allowing triads to operate inside his casinos.

Janet Wong said Ho had not seen the report, but considered it a matter for casino regulators and MGM Mirage, which has a partnership with Ho's daughter Pansy in the MGM Grand Macau.

"His position on the record is clear that there is absolutely no foundation in any suggestion that he is associated with organized crime and triads," Wong said in an email to the media.

Pansy Ho declined to comment, saying through her spokesman only that her father was not a partner in the venture and that the report contained no allegation against her specifically.

MGM Mirage sold its 50 percent stake in an Atlantic City casino after New Jersey forced it to make a choice between the east coast state and Macau. According to New Jersey law, companies applying for a gambling license must first prove that they have no association with "notorious or unsavory persons."

MGM Mirage says it has "a spotless operating record at MGM Grand Macau."