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Lawrence Ho Yau-lung (Chinese: 何猷龍; born 1977) is a Canadian businessman.[3][2][4] Starting his career as an investment banker at Jardine Fleming and Citibank,[5] in 2001 he took over operations at Melco International.[6] Later named chairman and CEO, Ho refocused the company on leisure and entertainment,[4] building and operating casino resorts in Macau, the Philippines, and Cyprus.[7] With an estimated net worth of $2.2 billion,[1] he was named "Asia’s Best CEO" at the Asian Excellence Awards for the seventh time in 2018.[8]

Key Information

Born in Hong Kong from a Eurasian business family, Lawrence Ho was educated in Canada and graduated from the University of Toronto.

Early life and education

[edit]

Ho is the only son and the youngest child of the Hong Kong- and Macau-based businessman Stanley Ho and his second wife Lucina Laam King Ying.[9] He moved to Canada as a child, studied at Upper Canada College,[10] and graduated from the University of Toronto with a bachelor's degree in commerce in 1999.[2] He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland in July 2009.[6][11]

Career

[edit]

1999–2003: Banking and Mocha Clubs

[edit]

In September 1999[12] Ho began working in investment banking,[3] first at Jardine Fleming's[5] Asia Derivatives Group[13] and then at Citibank.[5] Becoming a shareholder in iAsia Technology in 2000,[13] that October[12] he began managing iAsia's daily operations and was named president and vice-chairman.[13]

After purchasing a 26 percent majority stake,[13] in November 2001 Ho was appointed the group managing director of Melco International Development Limited.[6] Placed in charge of Melco's daily operations,[5] Ho began refocusing the company on leisure and entertainment.[4] He renovated Melco's Jumbo restaurant brand and further expanded Melco into finances and technology, associating the firm with companies such as VC Brokerage and i-Asia.[5]

The Macau territory of China began issuing new casino licenses in 2002, breaking Stanley Ho's monopoly on casinos in the region and presenting Melco with the opportunity to invest in Chinese gambling. Ho approached his father with a proposition to partner on new gambling projects,[14] and Melco purchased a one-half stake in a planned casino resort from Stanley Ho for $13 million, agreeing to "participate in the development of the hotel and subsequently manage the electronic gaming machine lounge."[15] Melco's Mocha Clubs, opened in 2003,[5] helped introduce "cafe-style slot-machine parlors" to Macau, which were uncommon at the time.[3]

2004–2011: CEO of Melco International

[edit]

In 2004[16] Ho and Melco International partnered with James Packer's Australian casino company Crown Limited, creating the joint venture Melco Crown Entertainment.[4] Ho was appointed CEO and executive director of Melco Crown Entertainment in December 2004,[16] with both Ho and Packer appointed co-chairmen.[17] In March 2006, Melco Crown spent US$900 million purchasing the last of Macau's six gaming licenses from Wynn Resorts. The license allowed Melco Crown to "operate an unlimited number of casinos, tables and machines in Macau until June 2022,"[5] and the company began developing its first casino.[4]

Under Ho, by 2006 Melco International had become profitable.[5] He was appointed Melco International's chairman and CEO on 15 March 2006,[6] and Melco Crown listed on the NASDAQ in December 2006.[3][4] In July 2007, Melco Crown launched Altira Macau,[3] which was built for $1.45 billion.[5] In 2009, Melco Crown opened the $2.4 billion casino resort City of Dreams Macau in Cotai.[3] Melco Crown listed its shares in Hong Kong at the end of 2011.[18]

2012–2016: International expansion

[edit]

Ho and Packer began partnering with SM Investments in 2012 on the $1 billion casino resort City of Dreams Manila,[19] which opened in 2015 in the Philippines.[20] In the summer of 2012, the government of the Primorye Integrated Entertainment Zone in Vladivostok, Russia invited Ho to bid on a new casino project.[21] Tigre de Cristal opened in October 2015.[3] With 60% ownership,[7] in October 2015 Melco opened the casino resort Studio City Macau, which was designed with a Hollywood theme and cost $3.2 billion.[3] In 2015 Ho was an executive producer for the Martin Scorsese short film The Audition,[22] which was filmed to promote the casino's opening.[3]

At the start of 2016, Ho continued to control Melco International Development as CEO and chairman. Melco in turn controlled subsidiaries such as Entertainment Gaming Asia, which operated slot machines in Philippines and Cambodia.[3] In May 2016, Melco International became majority shareholder of its subsidiary Melco Resorts & Entertainment.[8]

2017–2018: Recent casinos

[edit]

After a year-long bidding process,[23] in 2017[24] the Cyprus government awarded Melco the first and only casino license in the country, which granted exclusivity for 15 years.[25] Melco International subsequently bought a controlling stake in[19] the City of Dreams Mediterranean Casino.[24]

After developing four integrated resorts together,[1] in May 2017, Ho ended Melco's partnership with James Packer's Crown Resorts.[7] With Crown's stake in the joint venture sold back to Melco International for $1.16 billion,[26] Melco Crown became Melco Resorts & Entertainment. Ho assumed direct operational control of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, overseeing three resorts in Macau, eight Mocha Clubs, the resort in the Philippines, and the development in Cyprus.[7]

After Japanese lawmakers pushed for legalized gambling in integrated resorts in 2016,[19] by 2017 Ho was actively competing[26] for one of an expected three licenses.[24] According to Ho, Melco's pitch emphasized "entertainment and modernity".[19] In June 2018, Melco Resorts & Entertainment opened Morpheus, a $1.1 billion hotel tower designed by Zaha Hadid at the City of Dreams Macau resort.[24] In early 2019, Forbes estimated Ho's net worth at $2.2 billion, and ranked him as the #1008th richest person on the planet. He was also listed among the 50 richest people in Hong Kong.[1]

Boards and committees

[edit]

The current chairman of Melco International, Ho is also on the boards of various companies such as[6] Studio City International Holdings.[16] He is chairman of Maple Peak Investments in Canada[6] and was previously the chairman of Summit Ascent Holdings.[27]

He is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He is also a member of the advisory committee of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce.[28] He is an honorary lifetime member of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong, and he has also been a member of the All-China Youth Federation and the Macau Basic Law Promotion Association.[6]

He has been chairman of the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies[5] and the Macau International Volunteers Association. A director executive of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, he is also on the boards of The Community Chest of Hong Kong and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. He is honorary president of Association of Property Agents and Real Estate Developers of Macau. Ho is also an honorary patron of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Macao.[6]

Honours

[edit]

Ho has won a number of awards for his career with Melco International. Institutional Investor named Ho “Best CEO" of a conglomerate in 2005, and also that year he received the "Directors of the Year Award" from the Hong Kong Institute of Directors and the 5th "China Enterprise Award for Creative Businessmen."[4] In 2006 he was selected as one of “Ten Outstanding Young Persons" by Junior Chamber International Hong Kong.[27] The following year he was named one of the “100 Most Influential People across Asia Pacific” by Asiamoney,[27] and in 2008 he received the “China Charity Award” from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.[6]

In 2009 Ho was named both “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” at the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards and one of the “Top Ten Financial and Intelligent Persons in China" by the Beijing Cultural Development Study Institute and Fortune Times.[6] Ho was then selected by FinanceAsia as one of the “Best CEOs in Hong Kong”[27] for the fifth time in 2014.[6] Between 2012 and 2018 he received Asian Corporate Director Recognition Awards by Corporate Governance Asia,[16][29] and in 2015 he received the "Leadership Gold Award" in the Business Awards of Macau.[6] He was also named “Asia’s Best CEO” at the Asian Excellence Awards for the seventh time in 2018.[8] In 2017, Ho was awarded the Medal of Merit-Tourism by the Macau SAR government for contributing to the territory's tourism.[16]

Personal life

[edit]

Ho and his wife Sharen Lo Shau Yan have one daughter.[4]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lawrence Ho

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Lawrence Ho Yau-lung (born January 16, 1977) is a Hong Kong-born Canadian businessman serving as chairman and chief executive officer of Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, a Nasdaq-listed company that develops and operates integrated casino resorts across Asia and Europe. The son of casino magnate Stanley Ho, he has overseen the transformation of Melco International Development into a global leisure and entertainment enterprise, launching flagship properties such as City of Dreams Macau in 2009, Studio City Macau in 2015, City of Dreams Manila in 2015, and City of Dreams Mediterranean in Cyprus in 2023. Ho, who holds a from the , began his professional career in before assuming control of International in 2001 and founding in 2004. Under his leadership, the company secured a gaming license in in 2006, independent of his father's concessions, and expanded into non-gaming amenities, earning numerous Five-Star and awards for its properties—more than any competitor in and . He has been recognized as "Asia's Best CEO" at the Institutional Investor Asian Excellence Awards for the thirteenth time as of 2024, reflecting sustained operational success amid industry challenges like the and regulatory shifts in . While Ho's business ventures have propelled to prominence, with an estimated personal of $1 billion derived primarily from casinos as of October 2025, his career has faced scrutiny over alleged associations with junket operators linked to , though he has consistently denied such ties and no formal charges have been substantiated in credible records. These claims, often amplified in Western media reports on Asian gaming expansions, highlight tensions between rapid industry growth and regulatory oversight, yet empirical evidence of misconduct remains limited to unproven assertions from sources with potential biases against business figures.

Early life and education

Family background and upbringing

Lawrence Ho was born in 1976 in to , the prominent Macau casino magnate who held a monopoly on the territory's gaming industry for decades, and his second wife, Lucina Laam King Ying. As the only son from this marriage and the youngest of its four children—which included sisters , Daisy, and Ho—Lawrence held a distinct position within his father's extensive family of 17 children across four wives. 's household reflected the patriarch's polygamous structure, with Lucina as one of the official wives under traditional Chinese custom, though family dynamics involved complex inheritance disputes later in life. Raised initially in amid the privileges of his father's burgeoning casino empire, Ho was sent by Stanley at a young age to , , to foster independence away from family business influences. There, he attended for high school, immersing himself in Canadian culture and developing an affinity for , a pursuit uncommon among ethnic Chinese that he continued into adulthood. This early relocation underscored Stanley Ho's approach to grooming heirs through exposure to Western education and self-reliance, contrasting with the more localized operations of his Macau enterprises.

Formal education

Lawrence Ho completed his secondary education in Canada after relocating there at the age of nine. He subsequently enrolled at the , where he majored in . In June 1999, Ho graduated with a degree in commerce from the institution. This qualification provided foundational business knowledge that informed his later entry into and the gaming industry.

Professional career

Entry into finance and early gaming ventures (1999–2003)

In September 1999, Lawrence Ho commenced his professional career in at Jardine Fleming's Asia Derivatives Group in , focusing on and structuring derivative products. He subsequently transitioned to N.A., where he gained further experience in before departing the sector in 2003. In 2001, Ho's father, , transferred control of Melco International Development Ltd., a publicly listed company with peripheral gaming interests including stakes in a service and a track, to Lawrence, who assumed the role of managing director. This marked Ho's initial foray into the gaming-adjacent sector, leveraging the company's assets to position it for opportunities amid Macau's impending market liberalization, which ended the family-held monopoly in 2002. By 2003, Ho shifted fully from to gaming operations, utilizing his father's existing license to launch preliminary ventures in , including the development of gaming facilities at the Macau Galaxy, prior to securing its independent concession in 2006. These early efforts focused on infrastructure like ferries for high-roller transport and preparatory developments, capitalizing on the post-monopoly influx of and growth, with 's gaming expanding from approximately $3.5 billion in 2003 onward.

Leadership at Melco International and founding of Melco Resorts (2004–2011)

In 2004, Lawrence Ho, serving as managing director of Limited, spearheaded the establishment of a with Crown Limited, the Australian casino firm controlled by , aimed at developing integrated casino resorts in . This collaboration, initially structured under Melco PBL, marked the founding of what would evolve into , emphasizing non-gaming amenities alongside traditional casino operations to appeal to a broader mass-market audience. The partnership advanced significantly in March 2006 when PBL acquired a gaming sub-concession from for US$900 million, granting rights to operate an unlimited number of casinos, gaming tables, and machines in through June 2022. Ho was appointed of the on December 20, 2004, and later co-chairman and of Melco Crown Entertainment, the entity formed from the alliance, which listed on the in 2006. Concurrently, on March 16, 2006, Ho assumed the roles of chairman and of Limited, overseeing its transformation into a profitable entity focused on leisure and entertainment. Under Ho's direction, prioritized innovative resort developments, launching Altira Macau in 2007 as a mid-tier property targeting local and regional patrons, followed by the flagship City of Dreams complex in Cotai, which opened on December 15, 2009, featuring multiple hotels, theaters, and family-oriented attractions to diversify revenue beyond high-roller gaming. These initiatives positioned as a pioneer in integrated resorts, with City of Dreams achieving rapid operational scale through 1,400 gaming tables and slots by 2010. Ho's strategy emphasized sustainable growth amid Macau's post-liberalization boom, navigating regulatory approvals and construction amid competition from established concessionaires. By 2011, Ho had solidified 's foothold, with the company reporting strengthened financials from expanded mass-market segments, though early challenges included capital-intensive builds and reliance on the joint venture's synergies with for operational expertise. His leadership during this period focused on long-term investments, setting the stage for subsequent expansions while maintaining control through Melco International's substantial ownership stake in the resorts entity.

Global expansion and key property developments (2012–2016)

Under Lawrence Ho's leadership as co-chairman and CEO of Crown Entertainment, the company pursued international growth beyond , securing a provisional casino license in the in 2012 through its subsidiary Melco Leisure and Entertainment () Corporation, in partnership with Belle Corporation. This marked 's first major foray into Southeast Asia's emerging gaming market, targeting Manila's complex with a focus on integrated resorts combining gaming, hospitality, and entertainment to attract mass-market tourists. The flagship project, , underwent rapid development following the license award, featuring four hotel towers, multiple casinos, theaters, and retail spaces at an estimated cost exceeding $1 billion. It soft-opened to the public on December 14, 2014, with a grand opening on February 2, 2015, introducing innovations like DreamPlay by DreamWorks—a family-oriented interactive play space—and , emphasizing non-gaming amenities to comply with regulatory requirements for broad visitor appeal. The resort's launch positioned to capitalize on the ' growing tourism sector, generating initial revenues through a mix of local and regional high-rollers while navigating PAGCOR oversight on junket operations. Concurrently, Ho oversaw significant domestic expansion in with Studio City, a $3.2 billion Hollywood-themed integrated resort in Cotai developed under a land concession requiring completion by 2018. held 60% ownership, funding the project through debt and equity amid Macau's gaming boom, with features including the 4,000-seat House of Dancing Water arena show, a Batman ride, and luxury hotels like the Celebrity Tower. Studio City opened on October 27, 2015, differentiating itself from competitors through entertainment-focused architecture, such as the Golden Reel , to draw younger demographics and diversify amid increasing regulatory scrutiny on VIP gaming. These developments underscored Ho's strategy of blending global branding with localized innovation, though they coincided with Macau's market saturation and a 2014-2016 gaming downturn due to China's measures. By 2016, these projects had expanded 's portfolio to over 10,000 hotel rooms across properties, with Ho consolidating control after reduced its stake from 34.3% to below 20%, allowing Melco to repurchase shares and refocus on . This period's investments, totaling billions in capital expenditures, prioritized mass-market resilience over VIP dependency, aligning with shifting consumer trends in Asia's gaming landscape.

Post-2017 projects, partnerships, and industry challenges (2017–present)

In May 2017, ended its with , acquiring Crown's stakes in properties for approximately A$1.55 billion ($1.16 billion), which allowed to gain full control of assets like Studio City and City of Dreams . The company rebranded from Melco Crown Entertainment to to reflect its independent focus on integrated resorts. Under Ho's leadership, pursued expansions emphasizing non-gaming amenities to attract mass-market tourists amid 's regulatory shift away from VIP gaming. Key projects included the June 15, 2018, opening of the Morpheus hotel tower at City of Dreams Macau, a US$1.1 billion Zaha Hadid-designed structure with 770 rooms featuring innovative engineering like twin towers connected by a steel exoskeleton. In Cyprus, Melco's City of Dreams Mediterranean, Europe's first integrated resort, opened on July 10, 2023, in Limassol, offering a 14,000-square-meter casino, hotels, and entertainment as part of a long-term concession won in 2017. Studio City Macau's Phase 2 expansion began rolling out in April 2023 with an indoor water park and Epic Tower hotel, followed by the W Macau - Studio City hotel in September 2023 and a full relaunch targeted for early 2024, incorporating family-oriented features like water parks to diversify from gaming reliance. Recent initiatives include a US$1.2 billion integrated resort in Colombo, Sri Lanka, opening August 2, 2025, via an asset-light management partnership with John Keells Holdings. Ho has driven an asset-light strategy for global growth, partnering with local operators to manage rather than fully own properties, targeting markets like —where established a office in January 2025 and collaborated with THACCA on events—and expressing interest in and the UAE despite withdrawing from Yokohama's bid in 2021 due to local opposition. This approach reduces while leveraging 's expertise, as seen in upgrades like the May 2025 relaunch of the House of Dancing Water show at Studio City, which boosted non-gaming revenue. Industry challenges intensified with the , as 's border closures from early 2020 halted , prompting Ho to warn in February 2020 that the market would remain "very quiet for quite a long time," leading to suspend non-essential travel, events, and a bid for stake. Gaming concessions were extended to December 31, 2022, amid zero-revenue periods, with recovery hampered by heightened restrictions until mid-2022. Post-recovery, faced regulatory pressures including a 2024 crackdown on illegal money exchanges, uncertainty over transitioning satellite casinos to direct operations by 2025, and modest gross gaming revenue growth amid competition and seasonality—issues Ho attributed more to natural fluctuations than policy alone. Despite record gross gaming revenues in 2023–2024, grappled with elevated operating expenses and debt from expansions, prompting cautious 2025 outlooks focused on diversification.

Leadership roles

Corporate directorships and executive positions

Lawrence Ho has served as Chairman and of Melco International Development Limited (HKEx: 200) since March 15, 2006, overseeing the Hong Kong-listed that controls interests in integrated resorts across Asia. He simultaneously holds the position of Chairman and at Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (Nasdaq: MLCO), the U.S.-listed focused on casino and hospitality operations, a role he assumed on December 20, 2004, initially as co-Chairman. Ho is also a member of the board of directors of Studio City International Holdings Limited, an affiliate within the Melco group operating the Studio City integrated resort in Macau, where he joined on July 1, 2011. These positions centralize his executive oversight of Melco's portfolio, including properties like City of Dreams in Macau, the Philippines, and Cyprus, with reported group revenues exceeding $4 billion in fiscal year 2023. In past roles, Ho chaired Summit Ascent Holdings Limited, operator of the Tigre de Cristal casino in , from July 10, 2013, until resigning as and chairman on December 28, 2017, after divesting his 17.37% stake amid geopolitical considerations. Earlier, he held executive directorships at Value Convergence Holdings Limited, a predecessor entity to International, including as president and vice chairman from 2002 until April 30, 2008, and subsequently as until September 23, 2009.

Industry committees and advisory roles

Lawrence Ho has served as Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), a key national body representing interests and providing advisory input on commercial policies, , and industry regulations in . In this capacity, the organization engages with government bodies to influence business-friendly frameworks, drawing on members from diverse sectors including and . As a member of the National Committee of the (CPPCC) since at least 2018, Ho participates in high-level advisory consultations on national political, economic, and social issues, offering perspectives informed by his experience in international gaming and resorts operations. The CPPCC's multi-party framework facilitates non-binding recommendations to the government, with industry representatives like Ho contributing to discussions on sectors such as and integrated resorts. Ho also sits on the board of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in , an association promoting trade and investment links between and , including in and business services, leveraging his dual Canadian-Hong Kong background. This role supports networking and policy advocacy for cross-border commercial activities.

Awards and recognitions

Gaming and hospitality honors

In 2017, Ho was awarded the Medal of Merit-Tourism by the Macau government, recognizing his contributions to the territory's tourism development through integrated resort projects under . Ho has repeatedly been honored as 's Best CEO by the Asian Excellence Awards for his leadership in the gaming and , achieving the distinction for the seventh consecutive year in 2018 and the thirteenth time overall in 2024, based on criteria including , , and stakeholder value creation at . In 2016, he also received 's Best CEO recognition from Corporate Governance , emphasizing his strategic oversight of Melco's expansion amid competitive pressures in Macau's casino market. In 2020, amid the , Ho earned the Outstanding Individual Award from the International Chefs Association for spearheading 's community support initiatives, which included aid to employees, suppliers, and local causes in hospitality-dependent regions like and the . These honors underscore Ho's role in advancing operational resilience and ethical practices within the sector, though company-level accolades under his tenure, such as Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star ratings for Melco properties, often reflect his influence without direct personal attribution.

Other distinctions

In 2005, the Institute of Directors awarded Ho the Director of the Year accolade for his contributions. That same year, recognized him as the Best CEO of a conglomerate, highlighting his in diversified operations. Ho has repeatedly been named Asia's Best CEO by the Asian Excellence Awards, earning the distinction for the seventh time in 2018 and the thirteenth in 2024, based on evaluations of executive performance across regional businesses. In 2015, the Business Awards of Macau presented him with the Gold Award for strategic direction in enterprise management. Beyond awards, Ho has engaged in , including a 2017 donation of RMB 1.5 million to construct a multi-purpose teaching complex at Guangnan in Province, , aimed at improving educational facilities.

Controversies and regulatory scrutiny

Allegations of ties to organized crime and junket operations

In the Macau gaming industry, junket operators—intermediaries who extend credit and organize high-stakes gambling for VIP clients—have faced longstanding scrutiny for facilitating and ties to groups, including Chinese triads. , under Lawrence Ho's leadership, has operated VIP programs reliant on such junkets, though Ho has emphasized a strategic pivot toward mass-market and direct player acquisition to reduce dependence on commission-heavy intermediaries. Allegations of infiltration in these operations predate Ho's tenure but persist due to the sector's opacity and historical precedents in family-linked enterprises. Critics have primarily associated Lawrence Ho with potential risks through his familial connection to his father, , whose Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau (STDM) pioneered VIP rooms in the 1980s, which U.S. authorities later described as enabling triad entry into gaming. , who held significant influence in until his death in May 2020, faced repeated claims of triad affiliations, including a 2014 New Jersey Casino Control Commission denial of licensing for a related venture citing links, though he maintained no convictions and denied involvement. Lawrence Ho has not been personally accused of direct criminal ties, but media and regulatory commentary has flagged inherited associations, such as 's past joint ventures with entities under 's umbrella. Regulatory probes in amplified these concerns during Melco's 2019 attempt to acquire a 20% stake in for A$1.8 billion. The Bergin Inquiry, launched in 2019, examined whether Lawrence Ho and Melco qualified as "fit and proper" operators, highlighting Stanley Ho's alleged triad connections and junket-related risks in operations. Witnesses testified that junket partners could involve unsavory elements, prompting Crown to suspend dealings with over 100 Asian operators amid broader money-laundering fears. The deal collapsed in February 2020, with regulators citing insufficient due diligence on Melco's junket ecosystem, though no formal sanctions were imposed on Lawrence Ho personally. Melco has consistently rejected the allegations, asserting robust compliance measures and no evidence of wrongdoing.

Challenges in international markets, including Australia

In 2019, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, under Lawrence Ho's leadership, pursued a significant entry into the Australian market by agreeing to acquire a 19.99% stake in Crown Resorts from James Packer for approximately A$1.76 billion, aiming to leverage Crown's monopoly positions in Melbourne and Perth for expansion opportunities. This transaction triggered extensive regulatory scrutiny across New South Wales (NSW), Victoria, and Western Australia, where Crown operates key assets including the under-construction Crown Sydney casino-resort. Australian authorities initiated probity investigations into Ho's background, family connections to Macau gaming magnate Stanley Ho, and Melco's operations, amid concerns over potential associations with high-risk junket activities and compliance with anti-money laundering standards. The deal faced prolonged delays, with probity checks projected to exceed one year due to the multi-jurisdictional reviews and requirements for foreign approvals, particularly given 's extensive holdings. Inquiries revealed potential breaches by of its obligations in disclosing the transaction, raising questions about operator suitability and prompting parliamentary probes in NSW. committed to cooperating but encountered additional hurdles, including scrutiny from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) over the deal's structure and disclosures. Ultimately, the acquisition stalled and did not proceed to a , highlighting regulatory barriers to foreign gaming operators in amid heightened focus on integrity post-'s own scandals, such as media detentions in . Post-failed bid, challenges persisted through litigation; in 2022, the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority sued in the to recover over A$2.6 million in inquiry costs, alleging the company should bear expenses from the probity process. This was settled in 2023, with agreeing to resolve outstanding claims without admitting liability. These events underscored broader international expansion difficulties for , including stringent suitability assessments for executives with Macau ties, where junket operations have drawn global regulatory attention; by 2024, Ho confirmed no near-term plans for additional overseas casino developments, citing focus on core Asian markets.

Personal life

Family and marriages

Lawrence Ho is the only son of the late casino magnate and his second wife, Lucina Laam King-ying, born as the ninth of 's 17 children across four wives. He has four older sisters from the same marriage: , , Maisy Ho Chiu-ha, and . Lucina Laam died on June 16, 2022, at age 79 after a battle with cancer. Ho married Sharen Lo Shau-yan in 2000; the couple had been sweethearts for years prior. Sharen, a member of the Lo family that controls Vitasoy International Holdings, holds a Bachelor of Arts (1998) and Master of Arts (1999) from the University of Toronto. They have one daughter, Mia. The family maintains a low-key lifestyle away from public scrutiny.

Residences and lifestyle

Lawrence Ho maintains his primary residence in , consistent with the base of operations for his , Black Spade Capital, and his leadership roles in the gaming industry. In December 2017, Ho purchased a luxury apartment in New York City's for $65.16 million through a , ranking it among the city's most expensive transactions that year. Ho's lifestyle aligns with that of a global casino executive, emphasizing expansion and investments, though he maintains a relatively low public profile outside professional activities.

References

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  4. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7088937/Who-Lawrence-Ho-Hong-Kong-dynasty-revealed-James-Packer-sells-Crown-stake.html
  5. https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/other-industries/crown-casino-chinese-triad-rumours-that-sunk-billionaire-james-packers-casino-bid/news-story/65729eb1b8c3d8029b260465db0bcfd4
  6. https://www.forbes.com/global/2007/1210/026.html
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  13. https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/MLCO/profile/
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  32. https://ir.melco-resorts.com/news-releases/news-release-details/melco-announces-extension-macau-gaming-subconcession-december-31
  33. https://asgam.com/2024/08/14/lawrence-ho-seasonality-more-than-money-exchange-crackdown-behind-recent-softness-in-macau-gaming-market/
  34. https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/29083/lawrence-ho-signals-caution-on-macau-outlook-amid-satellite-casino-uncertainty
  35. https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/regulatory/article/-/view/type/HTML/id/3334630
  36. https://webb-site.com/dbpub/positions.asp?p=7275
  37. https://ir.melco-resorts.com/news-releases/news-release-details/melco-announces-appointment-new-independent-non-executive
  38. https://asgam.com/2018/01/01/lawrence-ho-resigns-as-chairman-of-summit-ascent/
  39. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1713334/000119312524074558/d481398d20f.htm
  40. https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamelaambler/2019/02/13/hong-kongs-richest-2019-lawrence-ho-expands-his-empire/
  41. https://www.gamblinginsider.com/executive/19/lawrence-ho
  42. https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamelaambler/2018/06/15/melco-resorts-1-billion-gamble-on-its-flagship-morpheus-hotel/
  43. https://www.tatlerasia.com/people/lawrence-ho
  44. https://www.ggrasia.com/lawrence-ho-honoured-by-macau-govt-for-tourism-work
  45. https://archive.agbrief.com/news/macau-awards-ho-medal-of-merit-for-tourism
  46. https://www.melco-group.com/en/CorporateProfile.html
  47. https://ir.melco-resorts.com/news-releases/news-release-details/melcos-pandemic-related-efforts-community-led-lawrence-ho-win
  48. https://melco.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/melco-leads-most-five-star-awards-macau-and-asia-2025-forbes
  49. https://www.forbes.com/macau/melco.html
  50. https://www.scmp.com/article/708998/triads-thrive-hos-casinos-us-report-says
  51. https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/fallen-casino-kings-have-advice-blackstone-2022-04-25/
  52. https://jamestown.org/program/city-of-vice-macau-gambling-and-organized-crime-in-china/
  53. https://www.ggrasia.com/the-maker-of-modern-macau-gaming
  54. https://ggbnews.com/article/analyst-crown-negligence-unfathomable/
  55. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/21/crown-resorts-may-have-breached-casino-licence-over-proposed-share-deal-with-melco-inquiry-hears
  56. https://www.afr.com/companies/games-and-wagering/casino-inquiry-unsettling-for-crown-and-regulators-20200228-p5459v
  57. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/sep/30/crown-resorts-director-says-junket-operators-suspended-while-possible-criminal-links-reviewed
  58. https://www.afr.com/companies/games-and-wagering/sting-in-bergin-s-tail-as-ilga-takes-melco-to-court-20220204-p59tu3
  59. https://www.afr.com/chanticleer/lawrence-ho-s-big-post-packer-bounce-20190709-p525jq
  60. https://www.reuters.com/article/markets/asia/melco-buy-in-triggers-regulatory-review-of-crowns-15-billion-sydney-casino-idUSKCN1T10PL/
  61. https://asgam.com/2019/06/03/australian-probity-checks-into-melcos-lawrence-ho-could-take-more-than-a-year-after-crown-acquisition/
  62. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/08/packer-sold-share-of-crown-to-tycoon-who-was-director-of-banned-company
  63. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jun/08/crown-has-a-new-king-but-regulators-may-get-in-the-way-of-deal
  64. https://www.afr.com/companies/games-and-wagering/crown-s-melco-deal-draws-asic-scrutiny-20200222-p543d3
  65. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/melco-resorts-cooperate-australian-inquiry-020705046.html
  66. https://ggbmagazine.com/article/crowned-prince/
  67. https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2022/02/07/61283-australia-nsw-regulator-takes-melco-to-supreme-court-for--26b-in-costs-over-crown-inquiry
  68. https://news.worldcasinodirectory.com/new-south-wales-regulator-chasing-melco-resorts-and-entertainment-limited-99643
  69. https://www.ggrasia.com/melco-group-settles-litigation-with-australian-regulator
  70. https://asgam.com/2024/09/21/melcos-lawrence-ho-confirms-no-plans-for-further-overseas-expansion-in-near-future/
  71. https://mabumbe.com/people/lawrence-ho-age-net-worth-family-career-highlights/
  72. https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/42714/Hos-second-wife-loses-fight-with-cancer
  73. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/life/celebrities/the-lives-of-casino-tycoon-stanley-ho-s-4-daughters-in-law-from-tragedy-to-luxury-4833421.html
  74. https://www.tatlerasia.com/people/sharen-lo-ho
  75. https://www.forbes.com/sites/zinnialee/2025/05/22/casino-magnate-lawrence-ho-invests-in-hong-kong-real-estate-broker-ifcx/
  76. https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3311102/casino-tycoon-lawrence-hos-family-office-invests-hong-kong-real-estate-broker-ifcx
  77. https://nypost.com/2017/12/26/these-were-new-yorks-priciest-real-estate-sales-in-2017/
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