Duterte offers gaming tycoon Lam jail-free return provided he pays taxes, renegotiates contract

After fleeing the Philippines, the casino owner has reportedly sought to return and settle obligations to the government

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte addresses the country’s armed forces. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 3:41pm, 9 Dec 2016Updated: 4:33pm, 9 Dec 2016

President Rodrigo Duterte has told “fugitive” Macau gaming tycoon Jack Lam Yin-lok he can re-enter the Philippines and avoid jail if he pays his taxes and renegotiates an alleged sweetheart deal with the government.

Lam – chairman of Hong Kong-listed company Jimei International and one of Macau’s biggest casino junket operators – late last month fled the Philippines after becoming a target of Duterte’s crackdown on gambling and drugs. An arrest warrant was issued for Lam on allegations of economic sabotage and bribery. Philippine authorities also shut down two gaming properties owned by Lam.

The tough-talking head of state said however that Lam’s people had recently put “feelers” out, seeking whether it was possible for the gaming tycoon to return without going to jail.

Philippines media reported that Duterte would consider a jail-free return if Lam pays back taxes and agrees to renegotiate his contract with the government-owned Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation.

Under the contract, which Lam was granted by Duterte’s predecessor, the casino owner was reportedly granted a very lenient 1 per cent tax rate, well below the 10 per cent rate imposed on other operators.