"Second-generation Star" Gambling Debt Controversy: Kenix Kwok Sued by MGM to Recover $1.4 Million, Father's Old Casino Scandal Exposed

According to Hong Kong media reports, MGM China Holdings Limited, a Macau gambling giant, recently filed a lawsuit in the Hong Kong Regional Court, accusing Hong Kong actor Jacky Heung of defaulting on a gambling debt of 1.4 million Hong Kong dollars and demanding the recovery of interest at an annual rate of 18%. This extravagant gambling dispute has once again ignited external attention to the subtle relationship between the entertainment industry and Macau's gambling sector.

According to court documents, the incident occurred on December 1, 2024. On that day, Jacky Heung borrowed 2 million Hong Kong dollars in chips at the MGM Macau casino and promised to return them the same day. Although he later repaid part of the amount, he still left 1.4 million Hong Kong dollars unpaid. MGM stated that after deducting the remaining funds in his casino account, it decided to legally pursue the remaining balance.

Jacky Heung is the chairman of China Star Group and the son of well-known filmmaker Charles Heung. The Heung family not only has significant influence in the film industry but has also been deeply involved in Macau's gambling sector. As early as 2015, an employee embezzlement scandal involving 500 million Hong Kong dollars erupted in the Dore VIP lounge, owned by Charles Heung, leading to a wave of investor rights protection and regulatory investigations. Now, Jacky Heung's involvement in a gambling debt lawsuit has once again brought these past incidents to light.

Additionally, Charles Heung had also invested in the Macau Lan Kwai Fong Hotel, located near the New Port area adjacent to the Waldo Casino, which once operated gambling facilities but has ceased operations following revisions to Macau's gambling laws.

This incident not only reveals the underlying costs of the prodigal habits of "celebrity second generations" but also reflects the intricate network of money and power between Macau casinos and celebrities. Legal experts point out that Macau casinos have intensified their debt collection efforts in recent years, frequently using legal means to pursue debts from gamblers, reminding the public of the long-term consequences of extravagant gambling.